BOXING fans rejoiced after a UFC legend claimed he was the backup for Mike Tyson against Jake Paul.

YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul is due to take on the heavyweight icon in a controversial clash on July 20 in Texas.

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Mike Tyson suffered a health scare before his fight with Jake Paul
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Mike Tyson suffered a health scare before his fight with Jake PaulCredit: Getty
But the fight appeared in doubt when Tyson suffered a health scare due to an ulcer flare up.

Immediately, the likes of boxer Ryan Garcia and ex-UFC star Mike Perry hinted they would be up for replacing Iron Mike.

But MMA cult hero Chael Sonnen went a step further by claiming he was already contracted as the substitute opponent.

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 realises he might be fighting ME in a month, HE may be the one having a heart attack.”

It sparked a mixed response online as one 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.”

But one hit back: “In your dreams.”

Chael Sonnen said he was a replacement for Tyson
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Chael Sonnen said he was a replacement for TysonCredit: Getty

ONE is a notorious YouTuber-turned-boxer who has taken the sport by storm.

The other terrorised all in the ring in the 1980s and 1990s, famously biting the ear off an opponent in one fight.

Iron Mike has rebuilt his life after squandering a £300m fortune with a cannabis empire, and is a huge advocate of the drug.

And as Paul has continued to rise up the ranks, he has splashed the cash on a fleet of amazing cars.

Whereas Tyson had more money than sense until a £15m debt saw him part with his cherished car collection.

Paul now lives in a plush mansion worth £13m in Puerto Rico, after escaping his hectic life in LA.

But these days, Tyson lounges in his Vegas property he paid £2.5m for with wife Lakiha, who he married in 2009.

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.

Read more: Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson’s lifestyles compared, from The Problem Child’s £13m mansion to Iron Mike’s huge cannabis empire.


Credit: The Sun

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Sonnen, who has 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.

You love to make s*** up before knowing the facts for clicks / likes. Nothing changed.

Jake Paul

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.”