MICHAEL VENOM PAGE has refused to rule out fighting Jake Paul – but first vows to leave Mike Perry a "mess" in their bare-knuckle bout.
The Bellator welterweight swaps the cage for the ring after signing with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
And faces the unpredictable Perry at Wembley Arena on Saturday night, expecting to leave the ex-UFC contender unrecognisable.
Page told SunSport: “He’s a great person to promote a show with.
“He’s really funny outside, big character, he makes a lot of noise and it kind of hypes you up, he makes you want to go in there and fight.
“It’s kind of a perfect partner to come over here, great name and great for my first fight.
READ MORE IN BOXING
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk free bets and sign up offers for Saudi rematch
AJ vs Usyk kicks off night of combat sports including UFC and bare knuckle bouts
“I expect the fight to go the way I want it to go. I’m a lot more technical, a lot more precise, landing shots.
“He’s going to be a bit of a mess by the end of it, but I’m going to go in there and do what I do best, put on a show and come out the victor.”
Page, 35, recently challenged for the interim Bellator welterweight title in May but was controversially beaten by Logan Storley, 29.
The MMA promotion had nothing to offer MVP until November, meaning the Londoner looked elsewhere for opportunities.
Most read in Boxing
Date & live stream details for massive heavyweight rematch in Saudi Arabia
AJ reveals only reason he lost to Usyk is due to his rival being southpaw
Tyson gives prediction for AJ vs Usyk & reveals what Brit MUST do to win
AJ reveals respect for Usyk for defending Ukraine ahead of desert dust-up
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Having already had two wins in the traditional boxing ring, Page sought to find another gloved bout.
But when his former promoter, ex-world champion David Haye, brought an offer from BKFC to him, a deal was quickly wrapped up.
Page revealed: "I’ve worked with David before, we’re actually very good friends so it was an easy conversation to have.
“Then the end result was, I had to present it to Bellator and they had to be happy with it or otherwise it wouldn’t work.
“From there, I had to go to the right people at Bellator but they were happy with it, especially with the timing, it worked out anyway.
He’s going to be a bit of a mess by the end of it, but I’m going to go in there and do what I do best, put on a show and come out the victor.
"So they OK’d it and that was it. Now we’re here.”
Page has his eyes on the Bellator crown but is open to making a return to boxing.
Several stars of MMA have made the same switch, including UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47.
Ben Askren, 38, and Tyron Woodley, 40, also did the same to fight YouTuber-turned prizefighter Paul, 25.
Both were beaten and the likes of Jorge Masvidal, 37, and Nate Diaz, 37, have since been called out by the 5-0 social media sensation.
Read More on The Sun
I saved £20k in 2 years for house deposit with my clever side hustle
We’ve had no oven for 7 MONTHS as Wickes turned dream kitchen into nightmare
Page will not get drawn into challenging the American himself – but would not turn down the chance to fight him.
He said: “I don’t care to call for a fight like that, but if it falls on my lap, the same way this has kind of fallen upon me, then yeah, why not?
“It’s punching someone in the face for a lot of money.”
Source: Read Full Article
