Rules for Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul confirmed
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and YouTuber Jake Paul have both announced on social media that they will square off in a sanctioned professional bout.
The pair have been given the green light by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations, with the result of their fight on July 20 affecting their professional boxing records.
At the AT&T Stadium, the heavyweight clash will be scheduled for eight two-minute rounds, with the fighters trading blows with 14 oz gloves when they collide live on Netflix.
While the contest will be fought under professional boxing rules, the two combatants will not fight each round over the usual three-minute duration, or wear 10 oz mitts – as is customary.
Tyson, who will be 58 years old come fight night, became the youngest heavyweight champion in history, at the age of 21, by defeating Trevor Berbick back in 1986.
Now, despite not being the fearsome puncher he once was, an opportunity to potentially wipe out a former Disney star is seemingly too tempting for the American to turn down.
Paul lost to undefeated Briton Tommy Fury via a split decision back in February last year, but the novice boxer has responded by racking up three wins since.
One victory came against former UFC champion Nate Diaz, and the other two, more recently, resulted in first-round stoppages against low level opposition.
The 27-year-old has had ten professional bouts in his short run against ex-athletes and influencers but, now, he will take on, for the fist time, a former world campion boxer.
The card will also feature an undisputed showdown between Ireland’s Katie Taylor – who will be putting her four lightweight titles on the line – and Puerto Rico’s Amanda Serrano, in what is an eagerly anticipated rematch.