On Friday night, YouTube sensation Jake Paul will fight legendary former world champion Mike Tyson in a heavyweight boxing match. Millions on the streaming platform Netflix will view the bout.
Embed from Getty ImagesPaul, 27, made his professional debut in 2020 and has a record of 10-1. His only defeat came against Tommy Fury, Tyson Fury’s younger brother, last year in Saudi Arabia.
Embed from Getty ImagesTyson is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time. He reigned as the undisputed heavyweight world champion from 1987 to 1990. He last fought in 2005, losing for the sixth time in a career with 50 victories.
While their fight has been billed as a real, professional bout, much speculation has arisen as to its legitimacy—so what exactly are the rules of the contest?
KO’s allowed
The fight, which takes place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, is being officially sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
According to the official rules, knockouts are permitted, although much speculation remains over how true this is.
Former world middleweight champion Carl Froch suggested in a recent interview that a clause in the contract stipulates Tyson is not allowed to go for a knockout:
“Allegedly, there’s a clause in there that says [Tyson] can’t go for it (a knockout), so we’ll see, won’t we?”
Embed from Getty ImagesAs is standard in professional bouts, the fighters will not wear headgear and will wear 14-ounce gloves.
Most interestingly, if it goes the distance, the fight will only be eight rounds, each two minutes long.
Two minutes is the standard round time for female fights, but men’s boxing fights always last for three minutes.
The choice of two-minute rounds is likely to give 58-year-old Tyson a better chance of seeing the final bell; the prospect of the bout ending due to the Bronx native “gassing out” is not a conclusion which would satisfy anyone.
Despite the shortened round time being to his advantage, Tyson has criticised the rules, suggesting two-minute rounds are meant for women.
“I’m sure they had their reasons but the women fight two minutes,” he said. “But this is bigger than me, it’s not all about me, so who am I to talk. I’m just happy that we’re doing it.”
Health Concerns
The decision to use shortened rounds will also have been impacted by Tyson’s recent health scare, which saw the fight postponed from its original date of July 20th.
A medical incident the former champion suffered on a flight turned out to be an ulcer flare-up, causing the bout to be pushed back by several months.
“During a follow up consultation with medical professionals on his recent ulcer flare up, the recommendation is for Mike Tyson to do minimal to light training over the next few weeks and then return to full training with no limitations,” the official statement read.
Given his age, it is no surprise that Tyson’s health is not perfect, but at nearly 60 he looks in tremendous shape ahead of Friday’s scrap.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile questions remain over how real the fight is, both men, at least on the surface, appear to be taking it extremely seriously.
At Wednesday’s final press conference, Tyson told the crowd: “I am not going to lose!” while Paul vowed to win by knockout and bet his entire $31m purse with Irish fighter Katie Taylor on him winning.