YouTube star turned-boxer Jake Paul has chosen a new opponent after Mike Tyson's unfortunate withdrawal from their scheduled bout. Paul announced on Tuesday that he will now be facing ex-MMA fighter Mike Perry on July 20 at Amalie Arena in Tampa. With just a five-year age gap between the two fighters, this match will be a much closer matchup compared to the originally planned fight with the nearly 58-year-old Tyson.

The rescheduling of the fight with Tyson did not deter Paul's determination to step into the ring this July. "When Paul vs. Tyson was rescheduled, I knew immediately that I wanted to still fight on Saturday, July 20. Now, as I prepare for my fight against Iron Mike, there's no better opponent for me than Mike Perry," said Paul in a press release.

Paul, sporting an impressive 9-1 record, acknowledged the risk involved in taking on Perry, known for his knockout power and chaotic personality both inside and outside the ring. However, Paul, who considers himself a risk taker, expressed confidence in his abilities, stating, "I'm Titanium Jake Paul and I fear no man."

Perry, 32, has had a tumultuous past, being arrested multiple times, including an incident in 2020 where he knocked out a restaurant-goer with a single punch. He served time in jail for violating the terms of a sentence for armed burglary in 2011. Despite his troubled history, Perry has found success in the world of bare-knuckle boxing. With a flawless 5-0 record in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), Perry holds the middleweight title and is considered the best bare-knuckle boxer in the world.

This will be Perry's first professional boxing match, as he transitions from his successful bare-knuckle career. In contrast, Paul has become known for his fights against ex-UFC fighters. This bout with Perry will mark Paul's 11th professional fight, with six of his previous opponents hailing from the UFC.

The July 20 fight with Perry has no bearing on the rescheduled bout with Tyson, which is now set for November 15 in Dallas. Paul aims to use this experience against Perry as preparation for his highly anticipated match against the boxing legend.

Fans can tune in to the DAZN PPV to witness Jake Paul's return to Tampa and his attempt to defeat "Platinum" Perry, sending him back to the world of bare-knuckle boxing. It promises to be an exciting preview of what Paul will bring to the ring when he faces off against heavyweight icon Mike Tyson in November.