Boxing legend Mike Tyson has spoken out against Jake Paul’s decision to fight MMA star Mike Perry in an interim bout on July 20, after their originally scheduled fight was postponed due to Tyson’s health issues.

Tyson, who experienced a health scare last month that forced the postponement of his fight with Paul to November, expressed his disapproval upon hearing that Paul had found a replacement opponent.

“He can only fight with me,” Tyson stated emphatically. The former heavyweight champion, known for his fierce competitive spirit, seems to be asserting that Paul should focus solely on their highly anticipated matchup, rather than taking on another fighter in the interim.

Despite Tyson’s stance, Most Valuable Promotions announced that Paul, 27, will go ahead with his plans to face Perry at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Paul views this fight as a valuable opportunity to prepare for his postponed bout against Tyson.

“When Paul vs. Tyson was rescheduled, I knew immediately that I wanted to still fight on Saturday, July 20. Now, as I prepare for my fight against Iron Mike, there’s no better opponent for me than Mike Perry,” Paul said.

The eight-round bout against Perry is seen by Paul as a “preview” of what fans can expect when he finally steps into the ring with Tyson on November 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Paul, confident as ever, stated, “Those who know me know I’m a risk taker and while ‘Platinum’ Perry might try to end me, I’m Titanium Jake Paul and I fear no man.”

Tyson’s recent health incident, described as an ulcer flare-up, required him to take a break from intense training. After consulting with medical professionals, Tyson was advised to limit his training temporarily before returning to full activity.

As the boxing world awaits the rescheduled fight, the tension between Tyson and Paul continues to build, with Tyson’s latest comments adding fuel to the fire.