Jake Paul sends Mike Tyson six-word message as five replacements for super fight revealed

Jake Paul has issued a forthright and succinct advisory about his fight schedule, insinuating that his matchup against boxing legend Mike Tyson must proceed.

Despite potential concerns over the 58-year-old Tyson's well-being which previously postponed their July meeting to November 15 at Arlington's AT&T Stadium, Paul asserts Tyson's fitness with commanding certainty: "It's Mike Tyson or nothing."

He further underscored: "But first and foremost, he's healthy and feeling amazing and doing great in camp."

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However, discussions around a possible replacement should Tyson have to back out again stir contemplation, especially if the numbers support the switch.

Earmarked are five fighters who might step into the ring against the influencer-turned-boxer, among them is Tony Bellew. The 41-year-old former world cruiserweight champion, despite his criticisms of Paul's choices, communicated last month his openness towards a bout, driven by the right financial incentive: "I've got no real hunger or desire to face Jake Paul, if I'm being totally honest. Do I want to? No, not really. But would I? Yes. Everyone's got a price. I would, yeah, absolutely, but do I want to? Not really, no."

Another potentially improbable adversary introduced is Chael Sonnen.

Ex-UFC star Chael Sonnen hasn't held back this year, launching a salvo of verbal attacks on both Tyson and Paul, even alleging that Tyson's training videos were staged. Proactively offering himself as a stand-in before the collapse of the original date, he mocked Paul for failing to consider him as an alternative opponent.

In a sarcastic post from May on a social platform, Sonnen boasted: "I guess it was wise of Jake Paul to write me into the contract as Tyson's backup, wasn't it? ? ? " and then cuttingly remarked: "If Jake Paul realizes he might be fighting ME in a month, HE may be the one having a heart attack."

Former world super-middleweight champion Sakio Bika signalled his readiness to jump in after Tyson's sudden health scare in May. The Cameroon-born Australian boxer, who hasn't been in the ring since 2021, threw down the gauntlet to Paul, stating with confidence: "If Jake Paul is serious about fighting a former champion, look for someone a lot younger or active within the last decade. I can fight Jake Paul at any weight he wants."

At the age of 55 and with his history in the ring, Roy Jones Jr would be a credible match for Paul, if he's looking to continue facing boxing royalty in the ring. Having squared off with Tyson in their 2020 exhibition clash and having met Paul during the same event, talk about a Jones versus Paul match began there.

With the July bout called off, Mike Perry, from the bare-knuckle fighting circuit, filled the void, leading to a crossover boxing match in Tampa, Florida, against Paul. In this encounter, labelled 'The Problem Child', Paul secured his victory by knockout in the sixth round, having sent the ex-UFC fighter to the canvas multiple times.

After being dismissed from the BKFC bare-knuckle promotion by part-owner Conor McGregor following that fight, Perry would presumably be open for a rematch, although it's likely to have limited appeal.