By: Sean Crose
Give Jake Paul this – the person retains lively. After a serious July novelty bout with Mike Tyson was postponed (if not outright scratched), the social media influencer turned skilled boxer might have taken it simple. That kind of factor, nonetheless, merely isn’t Paul’s type. As an alternative of kicking again for the summer season, Paul determined to problem himself. Therefore, the fighter often called “The Drawback Youngster” can be going through naked knuckle attraction Mike Perry on Saturday evening in Tampa, Florida. The scheduled eight rounder would be the essential occasion of a DAZN pay per view card.
Whereas Perry has solely boxed professionally as soon as – in a bout he misplaced again in 2015 – the 32 yr previous from Flint, Michigan has received 5 in a row since coming into the world of naked knuckle boxing in 2022. Certain sufficient, identify fighters similar to Luke Rockhold and Eddie Alvarez have fallen sufferer to Perry throughout the distance. And, though naked knuckle boxing isn’t the identical factor as trendy skilled boxing (ironic since naked knuckle boxing morphed into trendy skilled boxing again within the late 1800s), there are apparent similarities between the 2 sports activities – particularly, the power to punch to most impact and the power to make use of fluid footwork.
In brief, Paul might lose to Perry this Saturday night. However that kind of factor is what makes the 27 yr previous Ohioan attention-grabbing. Certain, Paul has punching energy and certain, he’s actually grown ability sensible over the previous few years, but Paul’s skill to tackle severe challenges has so much to do with what has to date been a really profitable skilled run. Even when he loses – as he did to Tommy Fury a number of years again – Paul refuses to be damaged. He might not have the expertise that one of the best boxers have, however Paul deserves credit score for taking the highway not traveled.
