5 fighters ready to replace Mike Tyson as Jake Paul sends clear six-word message

Jake Paul is set to take on Mike Tyson in November - but there is a list of potential replacements if the former world heavyweight champion is forced to pull out again

Jake Paul has declared he won't consider stepping into the ring with anyone but Mike Tyson if plans for their fight fall through once more.

Originally set for July at Arlington's AT&T Stadium, the match-up between the former heavyweight king and the YouTuber-turned-boxer had to be postponed after Tyson, 58, suffered a health scare. The fight is now slated for November 15 at the same Dallas Cowboys home and is set to be aired by Netflix.

Concerns still linger about Tyson's ability to fight given his advanced years and doubts over his wellbeing. However, Paul, 27, remains confident it will go ahead as.

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"It's Mike Tyson or nothing," he declared in a blunt six-word statement. "But first and foremost, he's healthy and feeling amazing and doing great in camp."

The need for a Tyson replacement, if he pulls out, cannot be discounted if it makes business sense. Here are five potential alternative opponents for Paul…

Tony Bellew

British boxing hero Tony Bellew, 41, who has openly criticised Paul's choice to pursue a bout with Tyson, has said he would step in if the money was right.

During an interview in September, the former WBC cruiserweight king expressed mixed feelings, saying: "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."

Chael Sonnen

Former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen has not held back in his comments about both Tyson and Paul this year, levelling an accusation that Tyson was "faking" his training session videos.

Not stopping there, Sonnen proclaimed his willingness to step into the ring, even pre-emptively offering himself as a replacement before the original date fell through. He also mocked Paul for failing to set him up as an alternate.

In May, with a dash of irony, the 47-year-old posted on social media: "I guess it was wise of Jake Paul to write me into the contract as Tyson's backup, wasn't it???" He then cuttingly added: “If Jake Paul realizes he might be fighting ME in a month, HE may be the one having a heart attack.”

Sakio Bika

Sakio Bika also expressed a keen interest in filling in after Tyson encountered his medical issue on a flight in May. Despite being 45 and last stepping into the ring in 2021, the former world super-middleweight champion is ready to throw down with Paul.

He declared: "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."

Roy Jones Jr

Roy Jones Jr could be a promising match-up if Paul is still intent on squaring off against a boxing legend. Jones had an exhibition bout with Tyson in 2020, with Paul fighting Nate Robinson on the same card. That show set the ball rolling for the Tyson vs Paul showdown.

Mike Perry

Paul ended up fighting former UFC star Mike Perry on the intended Tyson date, with the catch-weight crossover boxing match being held at the less grandiose Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

The Problem Child secured a knockout in the sixth round after flooring the ex-UFC star on multiple occasions. After being let go from the BKFC bare-knuckle promotion by part-owner Conor McGregor due to his performance against Paul, it would seem Perry is free for a rematch. However, whether there's any appetite for such a rematch remains to be seen.