Eddie Hearn isn’t accustomed to Mike Perry, however from what he is aware of, it’s going to be a protracted night time for the BKFC star when he packing containers Jake Paul on July 20.
Perry is used to having doubters. The facility-puncher had a number of memorable moments as a member of the UFC’s welterweight roster, however by no means noticed substantial success, finally parting methods with the promotion in 2021 with a 7-8 document. Few might have guessed that the tip of his UFC run would mark the start of his rise in fight sports activities.
The world of bare-knuckle boxing referred to as and Perry debuted with BKFC in 2022, defeating infamous Final Fighter contestant Julian Lane, after which rattling off wins over Bellator standout Michael “Venom” Web page, and former UFC champions Luke Rockhold, and Eddie Alvarez. In his most up-to-date outing, Perry made brief work of Thiago Alves. The win saved Perry’s momentum going and has carried him all the way in which right into a boxing match with the notorious Paul.
Hearn was requested for his tackle the struggle throughout an look on The MMA Hour, and he gave Perry little probability resulting from Paul having a substantial measurement benefit.
“I’ve by no means seen Mike Perry struggle,” Hearn stated. “Isn’t he a welterweight or one thing?”
“2 hundred kilos? He’s received completely no probability,” he added.
Although Perry has competed in numerous completely different weight courses in BKFC, he’ll be going as much as 200 kilos for his matchup with Paul. “The Drawback Youngster” has continuously fought and crushed significantly smaller opponents, together with former UFC stars Nate Diaz, Tyron Woodley, and Ben Askren.
Hearn had some enjoyable with MMA Hour host Ariel Helwani over some previous predictions that went awry.
“Ariel, you instructed me Francis Ngannou was going to beat Anthony Joshua,” Hearn stated. “Cease falling in love together with your UFC fighters.
“Look, I don’t know Mike Perry, however I do know apparently he’s a troublesome man. Clearly, he’s a troublesome man, so I want him all one of the best.”
Given their historical past, Hearn would have good cause to root towards Paul. The 2 labored collectively previously to advertise a extremely anticipated April 30 matchup between Paul’s Most Useful Promotions fighter Amanda Serrano and Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing fighter Katie Taylor (and are persevering with to take action for his or her rematch on Nov. 15), however Paul later accused Hearn of fixing the results of that struggle—a break up determination win for Taylor.
That accusation prompted Hearn to file a defamation lawsuit towards Paul, which remains to be ongoing.
Hearn put apart that drama throughout a current journey to Puerto Rico, the place he had a cordial run-in with Paul forward of the June 15 Liam Paro vs. Subriel Matias card.
“I used to be having dinner within the lodge that I used to be staying at, it’s really the place he lives on the resort,” Hearn stated. “I used to be simply having dinner and I felt a faucet on my shoulder and I rotated and it was Jake.”
“It was alright,” he continued. “He appeared fairly nice. Simply had a little bit chat, I stated you’re welcome to the present tomorrow, and that was it, actually. … We’ve nonetheless received points, however I’m at all times open for a chat.”
