Boxing icon Mike Tyson has said he is counting down to his rescheduled fight with Jake Paul after the rookie knocked out MMA brawler Mike Perry in Tampa.
Former heavyweight champion Tyson, who is 31 years Paul’s senior at 58 years old, pulled out of the original date at Texas’ AT&T Stadium on July 20 because of complications around an ulcer flare-up.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul subsequently arranged the showdown with former UFC wildman Perry, scoring a knockdown in the second round before flattening the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship competitor in a corner in the sixth round as the 32-year-old offered only moderate resistance.
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Tyson vs Paul
Tyson shared a clip of himself watching the fight while pointedly noting the amount of time left until he takes on Paul on November 15 at the stadium, adding: “Clock starts now.”
While the AT&T Stadium holds 80,000 people, Paul’s fight with Perry was held at the smaller Amalie Arena, which has a capacity of 21,500.
Amanda Serrano beat Stevie Morgan in the second round on the same card and will face fellow boxing great Katie Taylor in the co-main headline event of Paul’s fight with Tyson.
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Serrano vs Taylor rematch
Undisputed women’s light-welterweight world champion Taylor beat Puerto Rico’s Amanda Serrano by split decision in an epic in New York in April 2022.
“Next up is me vs Mike Tyson and Serrano vs Taylor on Netflix, November 15th,” Paul told his millions of social media followers. “It will be the biggest combat sport event of the 21st century.”
Tyson has not fought in an official bout since 2003, while rookie Paul – better known as a social media personality – has tended to face faded athletes from sports outside of boxing.
Tyson was undisputed world heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990 and was briefly the WBA and WBC titlist in 1996.
Paul vs Tyson date ‘one for the ages’
“My fans know I don’t want to face ‘Iron Mike’ at anything but his best, but let there be no mistake: when he steps into the ring with me, I will be ready to claim my W with a sensational finish,” Paul said after the postponement in May.
“Paul vs Tyson will be one for the ages, and I promise to bring my best for this once-in-a-lifetime match-up.”
