Mike Tyson will now not fight YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul on Saturday night. (Image: Getty Images for Netflix)

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It was the fight that we did not know we needed to see – and will now not happen – as Jake Paul goes toe-to-toe with a replacement for heavyweight icon Mike Tyson on Saturday night. The YouTuber turned professional boxer is due to lace up his gloves against ex-UFC fighter Mike Perry at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

Paul, 27, has fought 10 times in the paid ranks after making his debut in January 2020. He only has one defeat to his name and that came against Manchester-born Tommy Fury in February 2023.

No stranger to controversy or the limelight, Paul – whose moniker in boxing is ‘The Problem Child’ – was beaten via a split points decision by Fury. He has boxed and beaten UFC royalty in Tyron Woodley (twice), Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz – but the scheduled bout against Tyson was set to be on a whole new level.

However, the make-up of that showdown – which was due to be screened live by streaming giants Netflix – had to change when Tyson was forced to withdraw. The former undisputed world boxing champion, 58, suffered a flare-up with an ulcer and, on recommendation, pushed the fight back.

There is optimism from both camps that a revised date will be agreed.

“I want to thank my fans around the world for their support and understanding,” said ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ Tyson after the cancellation decision was announced. “I have been advised by my doctor to lighten my training for a few weeks to rest and recover.”

He added: “My body is in better overall shape than it has been since the 1990s and I will be back to my full training schedule soon. Jake Paul, this may have bought you some time, but in the end you will still be knocked out and out of boxing for good. I appreciate everyone’s patience and can’t wait to deliver an unforgettable performance.”

Perry, who stepped in for Tyson, competes as a middleweight in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. The 32-year-old fought 15 times in the UFC previously.