BOXING fans were thrilled after a UFC legend claimed he was the backup for Mike Tyson against Jake Paul.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul is set to face the heavyweight icon in a controversial clash on July 20 in Texas. However, the fight was in doubt when Tyson suffered a health scare due to an ulcer flare-up.
MMA cult hero Chael Sonnen claimed he was contracted as the substitute opponent, sparking a mixed response online.
Sonnen, 47, posted online: “I guess it was wise of Jake Paul to write me into the contract as Tyson’s backup, wasn’t it??
If Jake Paul realizes he might be fighting ME in a month, HE may be the one having a heart attack.
” One fan said: “I wasn’t planning on buying the pay-per-view, but I’d buy this one.” Another added: “Tyson should sit this one out so you can show him how the bad guy does it.” However, one hit back: “In your dreams.”
Iron Mike has rebuilt his life after squandering a £300m fortune with a cannabis empire, and is a huge advocate of the drug.
Whereas Paul has continued to rise up the ranks, he has splashed the cash on a fleet of amazing cars. Tyson lounges in his Vegas property he paid £2.5m for with wife Lakiha, who he married in 2009. Paul now lives in a plush mansion worth £13m in Puerto Rico, after escaping his hectic life in LA.
Paul is not yet married but is smitten with his speed skater girlfriend Jutta Leerdam. She will be by his side when her man puts his 9-1 boxing record on the line against two-time heavyweight champ Tyson on July 20.
Sonnen, who has a 31–17–1 MMA record, is due to make his boxing debut on June 15 against old UFC rival Anderson Silva. But the American – nicknamed The Bad Guy – is a serial troll known for his outlandish claims and brags.
Everything we know about Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul fight. And, despite Tyson’s medical emergency, SunSport has been informed the bout will NOT be affected.
Paul followed up by posting: “You love to make s*** up before knowing the facts for clicks/likes. Nothing changed.”
Tyson, 57, suffered the scare when flying from Miami to LA after becoming nauseous and dizzy. Paramedics rushed to the plane to provide medical assistance to the legendary boxer, who later made a recovery.
Tyson prepares to fight as a professional for the first time since 2005 despite returning for an exhibition with Roy Jones Jr in 2020.
But his bout against 9-1 Paul is officially sanctioned as Iron Mike spoke out for the first time since his medical incident. He jibed: “Now feeling 100% even though I don’t need to be to beat Jake Paul.”
Sonnen, who has never shied away from controversy, has stirred the pot once again with his claims to be the backup for the Tyson-Paul fight.
His reputation as a brash and outspoken personality in the MMA world has garnered him a large following and made him a polarizing figure in the combat sports community.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Tyson’s health and the backup opponent situation, fans are eagerly anticipating the showdown between Tyson and Paul.
The matchup between the seasoned veteran and the up-and-coming YouTuber promises to be a spectacle, regardless of who ultimately steps into the ring against Tyson.
As the date of the fight approaches, all eyes will be on Tyson, Paul, and now Sonnen, as they prepare for what could be one of the most talked-about boxing matches in recent memory.