Two weeks and a half before the highly anticipated battle between Jake Paul and Tommy Fury, Mike Perry stepped in as a replacement for Tommy and declared himself ready to go at any time.
The two long-time rivals had two opportunities to settle their scores by scheduling a match. The British boxer was scheduled to fight Jake Paul for the first time in 2021, but had to withdraw with an injury, making way for Tyron Woodley. In 2022, Tommy yet again was prevented from competing for a second time owing to travel complications.
Jake Paul announces Mike Perry as backup opponent for Tommy Fury https://t.co/Wk424NnXfk pic.twitter.com/vZx7iawhcd
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) January 31, 2023
The former mixed martial arts fighter from the United States, Perry, has just announced that he is completely prepared to take on Jake in the event that Tommy continues to find reasons to back out of the battle. During an interview with MMA Fighting, Perry expressed his enthusiasm about participating in the fight.
”I’d be ready to go at the last minute if necessary. I think that’s why they announced I’m the backup because it’s a foolproof plan. Mike Perry would be ready to show up and fight.” said Perry.
Jake Paul says Mike Perry waits in the wings if Tommy Fury pulls out (again).#PaulFury | Details: https://t.co/tKgZCzbwmm pic.twitter.com/a1JxZ5XHfF
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) January 30, 2023
The former UFC fighter turned bare-knuckle fighter claims Tommy has yet to establish himself, and that his toughest opponent to yet was one of Jake’s sparring partners, who Jake claimed to be an easy matchup for him. The 31-year-old American believes he can give Paul, or any other guy, a good fight.
”I’m out here giving it my all. I don’t have any quit in me. I’m a relentless warrior forever. It’s marked on me for a reason and that’s my game plan. To just stay in it, use my chin how I have to, and just stay in the game and keep pushing these guys back.” Perry added.
Paul and Fury, both unbeaten in their professional boxing careers, came much closer than on either of the two prior instances to the scheduled fight date this time around. Tommy’s absence from a press conference he was obligated to attend this week in Saudi Arabia raised further doubts about whether or not the fight would go on as planned.
The veteran of the UFC with a 14-8-0 record saw Tommy’s absence from the press conference as an opportunity to enter the fight, saying, “Anybody calls on me, they know what time it is. I’m showing up, I’m showing out and I might knock you out.”
Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry anyone? pic.twitter.com/x6Fl5ti40Q
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) January 5, 2023
Platinum’s chance of confronting The Problem Child has not yet been determined, but according to the UFC vet, if Jake wants to make a name for himself, he should face him, as he has been in the game for a long time now and has faced a good number of opponents and always promises to show up.
”I always show up and I’m down for a fight and I give it all I got. That’s something you can count on.” Perry further added.
Who do you think will win on February 26 in Saudi Arabia when The Problem Child finally takes on TNT after all the buildup?
