If there were any questions about how seriously Mike Perry is taking his upcoming boxing match with Jake Paul, it’s safe to say he’s answered them.
Perry, a former UFC star and now BKFC middleweight champion, will face Paul in Tampa, Florida, this Saturday.
Speaking at the conclusion of the open workouts leading up to the event, Perry was asked where his fight with Paul ranks among the biggest fights of his career.
He responded with an impassioned pre-fight promo about his motivation for taking the fight.
“I worked so hard for this,” he said, his voice gradually rising as he spoke. “For me, this isn’t just another day at the office. This makes me thrive, this makes me thrive on pressure. I live for this. I’ve been paid millions of dollars to fight people. I’ve been doing this a long time, so this fight for money is nothing new to me. I’m hungrier than ever. I need 20 million. I still don’t have enough. I need to cross that off my bucket list and get my mansion and my yacht and take my family out on the boat every day. You’re not going to take that away from me, bro! I’m so hungry!”
Mike Perry just recorded one of the best promos I’ve ever seen. ?? #PaulPerry
“I’m hungrier than ever! I need 20 million. I don’t have enough yet. I have to cross that off my bucket list and get my mansion, my yacht and take my family out on the boat every day, and you don’t… image.twitter.com/gB7yOeAmzK
— Parry Punch (@ParryPunchNews) July 17, 2024
Jake Paul was originally scheduled to fight boxing legend Mike Tyson this summer, but that plan was delayed when the aging Tyson suffered health problems.
Eager to keep busy, Paul booked a fight against Perry.
Perry fought for the UFC from 2016 to 2021, beating the likes of Jake Ellenberger, Paul Felder, and Mickey Gall. However, he has become a much bigger star since leaving the promotion, thanks to his destructive run in the BKFC ring.
Since joining the Bare Knuckle promotion, Perry has a 5-0 record, beating former MMA champions Michael “Venom” Page, Luke Rockhold and Eddie Alvarez, and most recently retiring former UFC welterweight title challenger Thiago Alves with a first-round knockout.
