Jake Paul will not wait until November 15 to get back in the boxing ring. Paul has decided to keep the date set for his blockbuster fight with legendary heavyweight Mike Tyson and will instead face mixed martial artist and Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship “Platinum” Mike Perry in an eight-round cruiserweight bout at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Paul was originally scheduled to face Tyson on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in a fight that was to be broadcast live on Netflix. Tyson, 57, was forced out of the bout due to medical problems, and that bout was rescheduled for November 15.
Instead of waiting for a new date, Paul (9-1, 6 KOs) decided not to waste training camp and stay busy by facing the undefeated BKFC fighter in an event titled “Fear No Man,” which will be available via DAZN pay per view.
“When the Paul vs. Tyson match was rescheduled, I knew immediately I wanted to fight on Saturday, July 20. Now, as I prepare for my fight against Iron Mike, there is no better opponent for me than Mike Perry,” Paul said in a statement to ESPN. “He is a proven knockout artist who has proven to be a maniac in and out of the ring. This is great experience for me before facing Mike Tyson. But getting that experience comes with risk. Those who know me know I am a risk taker and while ‘Platinum’ Perry may try to finish me, I am Titanium Jake Paul and I fear no one.”
“I’m going to get the win and give everyone a preview of what I bring to the ring against Mike Tyson. Tune in on DAZN PPV as I return to Tampa and send ‘Platinum’ Perry the Platypus back once and for all.”
Perry (5-0, 3 KOs BKFC) spent seven years in MMA and debuted with the UFC in 2016. His UFC record was 7-8 before leaving the promotion to sign with BKFC in 2021. The pivot to bareknuckle fighting has made the 32-year-old Perry the promotion’s biggest star, scoring wins over the likes of former UFC champions Luke Rockhold and Eddie Alvarez. His victory over the latter earned him the symbolic “King of Violence” championship.
“Jake Paul claims he’s not afraid of anyone, but on Saturday, July 20, the world will know the truth: He made the biggest mistake of his life by trying to get past me before Iron Mike,” Perry said. “I’m going to make it easy on Saturday, July 20, and I’m going to teach Jake Paul everything he’s ever learned about fighting.”
Also scheduled to compete is Amanda Serrano, whose highly anticipated rematch with Katie Taylor has also been delayed until November 15. Serrano (46-2-1, 30 KOs) will instead face Stevie Morgan (14-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round junior welterweight bout that will serve as the co-main event. Serrano, 35, has been out of action since October 2023 and, like Paul, has chosen to stay busy rather than compete in November.
“I’m already preparing for the fight on Saturday, July 20, and even though I now have to wait a little longer for my rematch with Katie Taylor, this is an opportunity for me to face another tough boxer in Stevie Morgan in Tampa,” said Serrano. “My opponent has 13 KOs, which is more than almost every other active female boxer, but I’m not afraid of any woman — I embrace the fight. I’m looking forward to meeting all my Puerto Rican fans in Tampa for my 50th professional fight to show the world my skills at super lightweight live on DAZN PPV.”
Morgan, 35, was born and raised in Tampa but has competed primarily in Colombia since turning professional in 2022. Although most of her wins have come by knockout, she will have a much-improved showing in the competition when she faces Serrano.
“We have been training for an occasion like this, and I want to give Amanda all my respect for her career and all that she has done for women’s boxing,” Morgan said. “However, in this sport you have to earn a name to be known for. I have 13 KOs and nothing would be sweeter than to put Amanda Serrano on the 14th. There will be fireworks on Fight Night on Saturday, July 20th!”
The card will also feature two undefeated lightweight prospects, including amateur rivals Tony Aguilar (12-0-1, 4 KOs) and Cory Marksman (9-0-1, 7 KOs), who will face off in a rematch. The two last met in February and fought to a split draw in MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects Series.
Undefeated lightweight prospect Ashton “H2O” Sylve (11-0, 9 KOs) is also scheduled to appear on the card. The 20-year-old Sylve was originally scheduled to face fellow undefeated lightweight Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield on July 20. Unfortunately, Schofield suffered an injury and will not be available to face Sylve. An opponent for Sylve will be announced in the coming days.
“There’s a lot at stake for every single MVP fighter who steps into the ring on Saturday, July 20. For Jake and Amanda, the pressure is on to come out with a win against two very dangerous opponents in Mike Perry and Stevie Morgan,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions. “Jake Paul is facing a monster like Mike Perry. Amanda Serrano is going up against a fighter who has 13 KOs in 15 fights. Nothing is for granted for our two superstars.”
