Jake Paul next fight: Netflix determined for Mike Tyson bout amid KSI plan
Associated PressBoxing fans worldwide were left disappointed when Jake Paul’s fight with Mike Tyson was postponed on medical grounds.
Paul and Tyson were set to meet in the ring at the AT&T Stadium on July 20 in front of a packed house in Arlington, Texas. However, those plans have been delayed due to medical concerns surrounding Tyson.
Tyson took ill on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles on Sunday, May 26, after a mouth ulcer caused the 57-year-old to become dizzy in the air.
Paramedics were required to treat the former heavyweight champion of the world once the plane landed in LAX airport and despite Tyson reassuring fans he was fine, doctors have recommended he does “minimal to light training over the next few weeks and then return to full training with no limitations”.
As such, the fight has been postponed, and although it is expected to be rescheduled, Paul has no shortage of suitors for his next fight if that plan does not materialize.
As such, Dexerto Sport has taken a look at the many options at Paul’s disposal as he looks towards his next fight.
Netflix determined for Tyson fight to be rescheduled
Netflix are determined for Paul vs Tyson to be the first boxing show they broadcast and have swatted away talk of any alternatives replacing “Iron Mike” if they can help it.
“I can tell you this. Once the fight fell through, several names were presented to Netflix as possible opponents to save the day, to save the event,” journalist Ariel Helwani told the MMA Hour.
“From what I was told, Netflix was steadfast that for their first boxing event, they wanted it to be Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson.
“They had a handful of names. They were not interested. They want to wait for that and do it in the fourth quarter (of 2024).”
It is expected that Paul vs Tyson will still go ahead in the final quarter of 2024, with a new fight date to be announced no later than Friday, June 7.
In a statement released by Most Valuable Promotions, the timeline for a revised date was set out.
It read: “Both Mike and Jake are in agreement that it is only fair to ensure that both athletes have equal training time to prepare for this important match and are able to compete at the highest level.
“The health and well-being of athletes is our top priority, and we fully support Mike in taking the necessary time to allow him to perform at the level he expects of himself.
“Mike is expected to return to his full training schedule in the coming weeks and is eager to get back in the ring.
“MVP anticipates rescheduling the match to later this year at AT&T Stadium, and we look forward to an exciting and well-prepared contest between these two exceptional athletes.
“The new date of the fight will be announced by next Friday, June 7th.”
Tyson alternatives
However, should Tyson not be fit to fight Paul, there are a number of alternative suitors that could step in to face Paul next.
UFC legend Chael Sonnen claimed he was the backup to Tyson in the initial contract, while boxer Ryan Garcia also threw his hat into the ring. Former world champion Amir Khan has offered to jump in too but is also keen to face Paul in his next fight after Tyson.
Former world super-middleweight champion Sakio Bika has also been forthright in his desire to face Paul, and current BKFC and former UFC fighter Mike Perry has also registered an interest.
Former four-weight world champion Roy Jones Jr has thrown his hat in the ring and there is also a Tommy Fury rematch that would whet the appetite of fight fans, although Fury isn’t set to return to action until the end of 2024 after a hand operation.
Even Paul’s brother, Logan Paul, offered himself as a possible opponent, tweeting his brother: “So Mike Tyson’s out? I’ll step in and we can settle this once and for all @jakepaul.”
KSI plan
But the most eye catching exchange since the postponement of the Tyson fight has been between Paul and KSI.
The pair have a longstanding rivalry with both men keen to cement themselves as the number one influencer boxer in the world. Both fighters share a loss to Tommy Fury on their record, while Paul would look to avenge his brother, Logan Paul’s loss to KSI back in 2019.
Paul tweeted KSI in the immediate aftermath of the Tyson postponement suggesting his rival should step in to fight him on July 20.
He said: “KSI’s coach saying he is over 200lbs right now? So no weight excuses… Let’s run it for July 20th and then Paul Tyson in October / November.”
KSI hit back claiming he has a fight lined up in August but would fight Paul in December instead. He replied: “I’ve already got a fight lined up in August. Instead of you fighting an OAP at the end of the year (no one wants to see this), fight me in December instead.”
Paul then confirmed his revised schedule for a new fight with Tyson at the back end of 2024 but proposed a February 2025 bout with KSI after that.
He said: “I just gave KSI and his forehead the opportunity again for July. He said he’s fighting in August. Cool. I’m fighting in October/November. February it is, 200 lbs, MSG, NYC. Get it done @MostVpromotions.”
To which KSI hit back, reiterating his desire to fight Paul in December. He said: “You asked for 185 Jake you fraudulent t**t. The old folks home has run out of options. This is all just noise. You don’t really want to fight. December, let’s run it at 185. No bulls**t. No excuses.”
KSI is rumored to be fighting former British world champion Amir Khan in August. Should he win through his next fight, and Paul beats Tyson in their revised fight date, there would not be a bigger fight to make than Paul vs KSI on the influencer stage.
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