Jake Paul battered Mike Perry Saturday night, knocking down the bareknuckle brawler three times and winning the fight by TKO in the sixth round.
Paul battered Perry early and left his face coated with blood during the fight. Paul took some hard shots but used his boxing skill to keep Perry at bay.
“Man, he’s tough as nails,’’ Paul said of Perry during an in-ring interview. “I’m sorry it took so long Tampa, but I love you.’’
The crowd, 17,000 strong during the fight, responded with cheers.
“I was trying to roll with the punches and hit your ass back,’’ Perry told Paul. “You did a great job. You were way too fast for me and I couldn’t adjust.’’
The convincing and bloody victory clears the way for a fight against Mike Tyson. Paul reaffirmed the fight with Tyson is on for Nov. 15.
“And I’m going to get another KO and prove everyone wrong once again,’’ Paul said. “Everyone said that this is a mistake taking this fight. That I was an idiot, I was risking it. But that’s why I’m here. I take big risks. I put it on the line. And it’s anyone, anytime anyplace.’’
Prior to the fight against Perry, Paul said a loss would cost him a chance to fight Tyson Nov. 15 in a heavyweight bout to be televised by Netflix.
Paul agreed to fight Perry in a cruiserweight bout after Tyson suffered an ulcer flareup May 26, prompting the fight with Tyson to be rescheduled. It was originally supposed to take place Saturday.
“I love to take risks and do big events,’’ Paul said Friday when asked about jeopardizing the Tyson bout by fighting Perry. “Mike Tyson called and was concerned about this fight jeopardizing the biggest fight of my career. That’s what puts the pressure on me, and I love that. I’m not slowing down for anybody. Mike Perry is not going to be the one to stop me. I’m on a path to (a) world championship. I’m not slowing down for anybody.”
Tyson’s agent, Andrew Ruf, said the decision to fight Perry was made by Paul and Paul’s manager, Nakisa Bidarian.
Despite scoring three knockdowns Saturday, Paul indicated he was not in top form. Paul improved to 10-1 and Perry, the bareknuckle brawler, fell to 0-2.
“I just didn’t feel very good tonight,’’ he said. “I was sick leading up to this. My knuckle is messed up. It was swollen like a big ball.’’
Keep reading for a round-by-round look at the result.
Jake Paul has message for Mike Tyson
Ariel Helwani, conducting the in-ring interviews, asked Paul if he had a message for Tyson.
“Mike, I love you, but this is my sport now,’’ Paul said. “You’re a legend. You’re one of the two most famous boxers to ever live. You and Muhammad Ali. It’s an honor to get in the ring with you. I’m so, so honored, you’re a legend.
“But I’m going to take your throne, brother.”
What’s next? Jake Paul calls out UFC champion Alex Pereira
Paul said he was excited for the Tyson fight and was going to go home and prepare for it. But that didn’t keep him from calling out Alex Pereira, the UFC’s reigning light heavyweight champion.
“Alex Pereira, you said you want to box,’ Paul said during an in-ring interview. “I’m the king of this. I’m the king of this. Come over, we can make it happen. I want you, Alex Pereira.’
Really?
“Indeed. I just beat a BKFC champion,’’ Paul said, referring to Mike Perry, the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) star. “I beat multiple UFC champions and (Pereira) he said he wants to box. So, Alex Pereira, after Mike Tyson, let’s make it happen.”
Jake Paul defeats Mike Perry by TKO: Round-by-round
Round 1: “It’s judgment day,’’ Jake Paul said after they got instructions from the ref at the center of the ring. And here we go…Jake moving around, as if to avoid any onslaught. Jake strikes to the body. Jake with an overhand right, down goes Perry! Jake delivers two lefts, and a third. Perry not showing the aggression and pressure he promised. Jake still cautious and ducking as Perry approaches. Respecting Perry’s power. Jake attacks the body again. Perry lands a couple of blows to the head, including an overhand right. Jake backpedaling but looks in control. Jake 10, Perry 8.
Round 2: Perry showing no technique. Gloves down, feet flat. Wasn’t there a boxing class online available? Jake lands a right and down goes Perry again!!! He’s up and beats the count. Jake looks strong. Perry looks wobbly. Perry out of sorts. Perry bleeding from the right eye and he walks into a punch from Jake. Perry shoves Jake to the floor, gets a warning from the ref. Perry suddenly looks alive. Crowd cheering for Perry. Perry throws a wild left and almost falls to the canvas. Jake 20, Perry 16.
Round 3: Jake looks very tentative as Perry walks him down. Perry strikes with a left hook. Jake on his toes and moving. Trying to keep away from the Perry KO power. Big exchange of punches. Jake landing with the left jab. But Perry still stalking. Jake cut on the head. This turning into a street fight – if Mike can help it. Blood pouring into Jake’s eyes. Jake 29, Perry 26.
Round 4: A straight right from Jake opens the round. Now he’s after Perry. Perry unbowed. On the move. Jake working the body, then strikes with a jab to the face. Perry in trouble. He’s wobbling. Two huge lefts. Perry’s hands down, and he’s paying for it. Perry swings and misses and looks like he might fall over. Jake just assaulting Perry, who looks spent. Jake finishes strong. Jake 39, Perry 35.
Round 5: Referee examining Perry before the round starts. He’s allowed to box, and here we go. Jake just missed with a big right. Incredibly, Perry won’t raise his gloves to defend himself. Jake tattooing Perry with the left, and that’s a powerful jab. Perry’s face just coated with blood. Perry not punching. Is there one big one left in him? For now, Jake just taking him apart. Jake 49, Perry 44.
Round 6: They’ve got Perry cleaned up. Forgot what he looked like under the blood. Perry lands a left, slipping the punch inside. And delivers another. Now Jake come in for kill and knocks down Perry for the third time! It’s OVER! The ref calls the fight! TKO for Jake Paul.
Jake Paul shares final thoughts
Not long before the ringwalks, Ariel Helwani conducted a quick interview with Jake Paul in Paul’s locker room with his brother Logan on hand.
“A lot of people say this is the craziest idea that you guys have come up with,’’ Helwani said. “Why would you guys take a fight against a guy like Mike Perry when you have the Mike Tyson fight in November.’’
Replied Jake Paul, “I like crazy ideas.’’
Perry, during his own interview before the ringwalks, looked a little crazy. “I’m pissed off,’’ he said. “I’m ready to go and…(expletive) him up.’’
How to watch Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry fight
It will be shown on DAZN. The PPV fee is $64.99 (plus subscription).
Jake Paul main card
Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry, cruiserweight
Amanda Serrano def. Stevie Morgan, super lightweight
Lucas Bahdi def. Ashton Sylve, lightweight
Corey Marksman def. Tony Aguilar, lightweight
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. def. Uriah Hall, cruiserweight
Amanda Serrano def. Stevie Morgan by TKO
Serrano came out swinging from the opening bell and needed less than two rounds to end the super lightweight bout.
The referee stopped the fight in the second round when Serrano was assaulting Morgan with a barrage of punches. Serrano looked especially focused, and it likely stemmed from pre-fight trash talk. Morgan said Serrano was the weakest of the women’s boxing champions – and Serrano proved her wrong.
“Listen, I think these girls are mistaking my kindness for weakness,’ Serrano said during an in-ring interview. “That’s not true. I’m a professional. I respect the women I go up against. It’s a business. I think we all need to work together. But if you’re not on my level, that’s what happens.”
It was Serrano’s 50th pro fight and the 31st knockout of her career. The 35-year-old Puerto Rican improved to 47-2-1. Morgan, a 35-year-old from Tampa, fell to 14-2.
Round 1: Morgan has talked lots of trash. Now what? Serrano the aggressor but Morgan firing too. Serrano very active. Morgan connects but is providing an easy target too. Serrano pounding away. Morgan’s head snaps back. Morgan appears in trouble. Morgan lucky these rounds are two minutes and not three. Serrano 10, Morgan 9.
Round 2: Serrano comes out firing away. Not wasting anytime. Taking a few shots too. The fight is stopped! The referee steps in as Serrano assaulted Mogan. KO VICTORY for Serrano.
Hulk Hogan shows up to Jake Paul fight in familiar shirt
Two days ago, Hulk Hogan was ripping his shirt off and calling for ‘Trumpamania’ to run wild as a speaker at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Tonight, he’s ringside at the Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry fight in Tampa. But there’s one thing linking these two appearances … his shirt. He wore a replica of the won he shredded Thursday. Take a look.
Lucas Bahdi def Ashton Sylve by shocking KO
Bahdi, bleeding from the nose and dominated from the opening bell, scored a shocking knockout in the sixth round of the lightweight fight.
Sylve hit the canvas face first after Bahdi pulverized Sylve with a left and a right. After a couple of minutes, Sylve was seated on a stool and examined by a doctor. He and Bahdi embraced, but Sylve left the ring before Bahdi was declared the winner.
“I want to give big thanks to my coach,’ Badhi said. “He told me it’s going to be tough in the beginning, but you’re going to get him. I believe every word he says, and it came.’
Bahdi, a 30-year-old from Canada, improved to 17-0 with 15 knockouts. Sylve, a 20-year-old from Long Beach, Calif., suffered his first loss and fell to 11-1 with nine knockouts.
Round 1: Sylve already displaying ring generalship as he dictates the action. Picking his spots, but Sylve landing. Bahdi a little more tentative. Sylve 10, Bahdi 9.
Round 2: Bahdi lands a couple of shots, but Sylve strikes back quickly. Bahdi misses and Sylve makes him pay with a body shot. Interesting footwork from Sylve. Sylve 20, Bahdi 18.
Round 3: Sylve is tough to hit, but he’s also a little slow to unload punches. OK, now he’s opening up – and already landing more than Bahdi. Sylve still fighting tactically. Landing impressive punches. But no brawling here.
Round 4: Badhi seems somewhere between bewildered and frustrated. Anticipating boos as the action slows. Sylve unleashing some of his most powerful punches of the fight. Sylve 40, Bahdi 36.
Round 5: Sylve still looking extremely disciplined – and a little frustrating. Wondering when Sylve will demonstrate he has the ability to finish an overmatched opponent. But he has hurt Bahdi, especially to the body. Sylve 50, Bahdi 45.
Round 6: Bahdi lands a body punch, and Sylve responds with a flurry – like, how dare you, Mr. Bahdi. The head movement and footwork of Sylve is compelling, but everyone is waiting on more of those barrages. Sylve bleeding from the nose…WHOA! Badhi drops Sylve!!! WOW! Sylve is down and out! Out cold!
Corey Marksman def. Tony Aguilar by majority decision
The draw between Marksman and Aguilar in February was no fluke. When the slugfest ensued Saturday, it was almost as hard to keep track of the punches as to who was winning the fight.
The lightweight bout scheduled for eight rounds went to the distance. But this time it did not end in a draw. The judges scored it 76-76, 77-75, 78-74 in favor of Marksman, who credited his work ethic.
“Man, that ain’t nothing but late nights and early mornings,’’ he said of the outcome.
Marksman, a 23-year-old from Orlando, improved to 10-0-1. Aguilar, a 25-year-old from Crescent City, Fla., fell to 12-1-1.
Round 1: Lots of punches thrown. Lots of punches missing. Now they’re landing, as expected from two boxers who fought to a compelling draw in February. Marksman seems to be dictating the action, even after a wicked exchange. Marksman 10, Aguilar 9.
Round 2: Aguilar out more aggressively – and bleeding from his nose. Aggressive is good, unless you’re running into your opponent’s punches. Blood and all, he’s still throwing effective punches, but not as many as Marksman. Marksman 20, Aguilar 18.
Round 3: Marksman on the attack. Scores with an overhand right as he takes increasing control with this fight. But Aguilar showing he’s not going to go down easy. Marksman 30, Aguilar 27.
Round 4: Marksman trips. The closest he’s looked to hitting the canvas. Lots of inside fighting, and lots of tangled bodies. Marksman capitalizes by scoring to the body. Aguilar turning into a brawler and mucking things up – just enough to win the round. Marksman 39, Aguilar 37.
Round 5: Aguilar closing the gap, wanting to rumble more than box. Aguilar slugging away, and connecting. Marksman’s lost some steam. Marksman 48, Aguilar 47.
Round 6: Marksman seems to have lost his confidence and rhythm. Aguilar takes a shot to the body and now he’s been slowed. Aguilar 57, Marksman 57.
Round 7: Marksman rebounding after landing that body shot in Round 6. Marksman not purely headhunting, but rather digging into the body. Now fists are flying. And Marksman lands a big right. And another! Marksman 67, Aguilar 66.
Round 8: The slugfest ensues. Aguilar smothering Marksman, but now they’re at the center of the ring. When untangled, it’s Marksman’s fight. When they’re brawling, it’s Aguilar’s fight. Now they’re at the center of the ring, the clock ticking and the fists flying. Marksman 77, Aguilar 75.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. def. Uriah Hall by unanimous decision
Chavez, the son of legendary Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., did nothing to deepen the family legacy during a six-round cruiserweight bout.
A former WBC middleweight champion, Chavez was fighting in his 71st pro bout. Hall, by contrast, was fighting his second pro bout after defeating former NFL running back Le’Veon Bell in his debut.
Yet when the fight ended, it was Chavez’s face that looked tattooed. Still, the judges scored it 59-55, 59-55, 58-56 in favor of Chavez, who was showered with boos during an in-ring interview.
“I know the people are expecting a brawl,’’ Chavez said.
Chavez, 38, 54-6-1. Hall, 39, fell to 1-1.
When asked who he’d like to fight next, Chavez with a grin said Jake Paul. Ariel Helwani, conducting the interview, asked the crowd what it thought.
More loud boos.
Round 1: Talking about a gamble, Uriah Hall allegedly is not wearing a boxing cup. That could be one painful low blow. Lots of circling. Not much punching, other than Hall throwing a couple of jabs. Chavez coming off a 2 ½-year layoff. Looks like it. Chavez lands a left hook – best punch of the round. And another left. Chavez 10, Hall 9.
Round 2: Hall stalking, but not throwing meaningful punches. Chavez seems content fighting while backing up. Hill active with the jab and throws a half-hearted combination. Chavez grows inactive and Hall deflects most of his punches. Chavez 19, Hall 19.
Round 3: Hall stalking again, but no snap on the punches. Chavez looks strangely inactive and ineffective. Chavez picking up the pace, scores to the body. Hall putting up a worthy fight. Chavez 29, Hall 28.
Round 4: Chavez showing a little more energy, but now he’s briefly up against the ropes and takes an uppercut. Chavez targets the body. Hall lands a big right. Chavez: 39, Hall 37.
Round 5: Hall in position to pounce on Chavez but seems hesitant to unleash the punches. But now Hall bulls Chavez against the ropes. Off the ropes, Chavez drives a left to the body, but Hall comes alive. The two touch gloves after the bell rings. Chavez 48, Hall 47.
Round 6: This fight might be up for grabs and Hall still standing tall at the center of the ring. Chavez is more active, but Hall coming forward. Hall showing very little power, but Chavez taking few chances. Now Hall has Chavez on the ropes and is unloading – to no avail. But Hall finishing strong. Chavez 58, Hall 56.
Shadasia Green def. Natasha Spence by unanimous decision
Green responded in solid fashion after suffering the first defeat of her career in December. She absorbed some hard shots from Spence but dished out more punishment and showed more skill during an eight-round super middleweight bout.
The judges scored it 78-73, 77-74, 77-74 in favor of Green, who improved to 14-1. The victory helped ease the sting of a unanimous decision loss in December to Franchon Crews Dezurn.
“I just got back to having fun,’’ said Green, 34, of Paterson, N.J., during an in-ring interview. “You guys haven’t seen the best of me yet.’’
Spence connected with some thudding right hands. But Green made good use of her jab and started connecting with her right hand in the middle rounds.
Spence, 39, appeared to be running low on fuel while falling to 8-5-2. In the sixth round, in fact, she briefly sat on a bottom rope.
But the only boxer who hit the canvas was Green in the seventh round. She later said he slipped, but Spence punched Green in the shoulder as Green tumbled onto her backside.
Green disputed it was a knockdown. But the outcome of the fight — Green’s bounce-back victory — was indisputable.
Alexis Chaparro def. Kevin Hill by KO
Chaparro, 6-3, showed the ability to set things up behind a stiff jab. But that’s not why he’s considered a top prospect. Chaparro cut loose in the second round, smothered Hill in punches and finished him off with an overhand right. The referee counted out Hill with 59 seconds left in the round during middleweight bout.
Chaparro, a 23-year-old from Queens, New York improved to 2-0 with two knockouts. Hills, a 35-year-old from St. Louis, fell to 1-2.
Angel Barrientes def. Edwin Rodriguez by majority decision
At 5-10, Barrientes capitalized on his height advantage over the 5-5 Rodriguez with good use of his jab during the six-round super bantamweight fight, the first if the preliminary fights Saturday.
Barrientes, a 21-year-old from Las Vegas, also fired combinations of up to six punches to overcome the sturdy Rodriguez.
The judges scored it 57-57, 60-54, 60-54 in Barrientes’ favor. Rodriguez, a 31-year-old from Puerto Rico fell to 12-9-2.
What time did Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry fight start tonight?
The prelims started at 7 p.m. ET. The PPV card started at 9 p.m ET. Jake Paul and Mike Perry made their ring walks around 12:30 a.m.
Did Jake Paul cancel fight with Mike Tyson?
The fight against Tyson was rescheduled for Nov. 15 after Tyson suffered an ulcer flareup on May 26. The fight originally was scheduled to take place Saturday.
Jake Paul finds matching outfit, vehicle
This takes color coordination to a new level. But while Paul’s Roman Empire-era costume might look silly,
the words in Paul’s post on X are no joke. Earlier this week, Paul said without irony that he is “on a mission from God.’’
Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry predictions
Matt Verri, London Evening Standard: Perry can at least keep it competitive, certainly more so than has been the case in Paul’s recent fights, but he is unlikely to come away with victory. Prediction: Paul by unanimous decision.
Brent Brookhouse, CBS Sports: Paul will likely be able to wear on Perry a bit with his size and use his superior boxing technique to land shots. Prediction: Paul by stoppage before the end of the fight.
Josh Peter, USA TODAY Sports: Paul survives Perry’s assault in the first round and proceeds to wear down his opponent. Prediction: Paul by TKO, seventh round.
Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry odds
BETMGM: Paul -400, Perry +350
FanDuel: Paul -420 favorite, Perry +390 underdog
Bet365: Paul -450, Perry +375
DraftKings: Paul -435, Perry +300
When is Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul?
The fight is scheduled for Nov. 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
How old is Jake Paul?
27
How old is Mike Perry?
32
How tall is Jake Paul?
6-foot-1
How tall is Mike Perry?
5-foot-10
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.