Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson: Ryan Garcia, Chael Sonnen & others who can replace “Iron Mike”
Associated PressMike Tyson has a number of replacements ready and willing to fight Jake Paul after their July 20 contest was postponed.
Tyson, 57, suffered a medical emergency after an ulcer flare up during a flight. Reports claimed that ‘Iron Mike‘ became dizzy as paramedics treated the former heavyweight champion after touching down on the ground.
The boxing legend has since confirmed that he is back to 100% – but, a decision has been made to postpone the fight from July to the end of the year as Tyson will not be able to train properly while he recovers.
With Tyson unable to fight on July 20 date, Dexerto Sport has taken a look at the replacements that could be set to step in to fight Paul in his absence.
Ryan Garcia
Ryan Garcia has told Paul that he will be willing to step in and fight him instead of Tyson.
‘King Ry’, who is coming off a controversial upset win over Devin Haney – testing positive for the performance enhancing drug ostarine – shared a screenshot of a DM with Paul offering to fight him instead.
“Jakey boo. If you down to fight, if Mike can’t do it, let me know, I will fill in,” Garcia said.
There are some issues with his offer, not least the drug scandal hanging over him. But Paul has stepped in weight and is much heavier than Garcia.
However, Garcia’s professional resume vastly outweighs the YouTuber, meaning that Paul could well be reluctant to take the fight regardless of the weight difference.
Chael Sonnen
Next up we have Chael Sonnen, the former UFC star who claimed that he is the backup choice to fight Paul.
“I guess it was wise of Jake Paul to write me into the contract as Tyson’s backup, wasn’t it???” Sonnen posted on social media after the news about Tyson’s medical emergency surfaced.
The next day he added: “If Jake Paul realizes he might be fighting ME in a month, HE may be the one having a heart attack.”
Sakio Bika
Former WBC super-middleweight champion, Sakio Bika, has also insisted that he will fight Paul in Tyson’s absence.
“I am deeply concerned to hear that Mike Tyson is unwell. I wish him a speedy recovery,” Bika told World Boxing News. “It would be unfortunate if he is unable to compete as planned.
“If the opportunity arises for me to step in and face Jake Paul, I would be honorer to do so. As a professional boxer, I am always prepared to take on new challenges and showcase my skills in the ring.”
“Jake Paul is a formidable opponent,” he added. “I would approach the fight with determination and focus, but my thoughts are with Mike Tyson, and I am ready to step up if needed.”
Mike Perry
From one Mike to another – Mike Perry, the former UFC and current Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship star – has also volunteered to step in for Tyson.
Perry has wanted to fight Paul for a while, having sparred with him back in 2021 and reportedly signing to be Tommy Fury’s replacement ahead of ‘The Problem Child’s’ fight with the former Love Islander in 2023.
Taking to social media, Perry wrote: “If you ain’t really tryna do it Mike Tyson, I can handle your light work for you, I’ll pull up to the Netflix card. Let me know.”
Roy Jones Jr
Roy Jones Jr, who fought Tyson in an exhibition bout back in 2020, has insisted that he could be the ideal replacement.
“I’m kind of thinking about that,” Jones told Betway when asked if he would consider replacing Tyson.
“I might try and get into shape in case that happens. Maybe I get myself in shape for that because I never thought about doing it before but with the situation of the fight (being postponed between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul).
“I think that’s a great idea and I’ll be ready and in shape because if the fight doesn’t happen then the ideal guy to substitute in place of Mike Tyson to fight Jake Paul is something I have been thinking about. If the fight is out there then yes (I would take it).”
Tommy Fury
Fury and Paul fought in 2023, with the younger brother of Tyson serving up the one and only defeat the American has had inside the boxing ring.
The judges awarded Fury a split-decision victory and it is safe to say that there is a score to settle between the pair.
Although Fury has not said he would step in for Tyson, given their history and rumors of a rematch clause in the contract, watch this space as a fight that could happen soon, if not on July 20.
Jake Paul (L) and Tommy Fury (R)To make the fight work, Fury would have to speed up his self-imposed recovery timeline of “the end of the year” following surgery on his hand from an injury he had been nursing for years.
KSI
Following the postponement of Paul vs Tyson, KSI was called out by the American to fill in for ‘Iron Mike’.
The pair have a longstanding rivalry but have never met in the boxing ring. KSI has fought Jake’s brother, Logan, twice, but now ‘The Problem Child’ wants to avenge his sibling.
“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,” he posted on social media.
However, that idea was quickly dismissed. “I’ve already got a fight lined up in August,” KSI responded. “Instead of you fighting an OAP at the end of the year (no one wants to see this), fight me in December instead.”
This prompted Paul to suggest early 2025 instead, after his rescheduled fight with Tyson. “I just gave KSI and his forehead the opportunity again for July,” Paul wrote. “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.”
Yet the two parties are still to agree on timings, with KSI eager for Paul to leave the Tyson fight alone and take him on at the end of 2024 instead.
“You asked for 185 Jake you fraudulent t**t,” the Brit fired back. “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.”
Paul then threw in an extra sweetener, teasing the idea of both sets of brothers going head-to-head in a night of boxing that would see Logan vs Deji and Jake vs KSI on the same card.
Given that Tyson vs Paul is set to go ahead between October and December this year, and with KSI fighting in August, a February showdown between the pair is looking like a very plausible option.
For all the biggest results and upcoming fights this year, check out Dexerto’s 2024 boxing schedule.
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