Mike Perry may have been unsuccessful in his recent bout against Jake Paul, but he continues to receive widespread acclaim for his resilience and toughness. Known as “Platinum,” Perry is not an experienced boxer and does not match Paul’s size, yet he proved to be a formidable opponent who refused to go down easily.

The match, which ended with Perry being stopped in the sixth round, highlighted his indomitable spirit. Many fighters would have crumbled under the relentless pressure, but Perry stood his ground longer than expected. His performance was particularly commendable given the circumstances he faced right from the outset.

In a candid interview on the podcast “BS w/ Jake Paul,” Perry revealed the full extent of his struggle during the fight. He disclosed that his rib was broken by the very first punch Paul landed. “First 10 seconds, that first punch you hit me with, you popped me,” Perry recounted. “I knew people were going to be like, ‘Put your hands up,’ Right, so I come out and I’m like this with my hands up and my rib was wide open. You hit me in the rib and I was like, ‘F*** that’s it, I’m putting my hands down.’ You popped it right away and I fought through it.”

Despite the severe injury, Perry continued to fight with determination. The broken rib forced him to lower his guard, leaving him vulnerable to head strikes. This vulnerability ultimately led to his defeat, but his ability to withstand such pain and continue fighting earned him significant respect from fans and critics alike.

Reflecting on the fight, Perry expressed a mixture of pride and acceptance. “There’s something, there’s pieces I can take that I can be proud of but you know, I think it was fair and square,” he said. Perry’s willingness to share the details of his injury and his determination to fight on have only added to his reputation as one of the toughest competitors in the sport.

Perry announced that he would be taking some time off to allow his rib to heal. The former UFC fighter’s performance against Paul, despite the loss, has solidified his status as a fighter with incredible heart and toughness. His next steps in the combat sports world will be eagerly watched by fans who admire his tenacity.