Netflix’s first live sporting event, Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Boxing fight, has some unique rules and regulations that may require explanation. The Paul vs. Tyson fight is an important fight for both boxers. Jake Paul went from YouTuber to professional boxer, so his fight with Tyson should make him a notable name in the sport. Meanwhile, Mike Tyson came out of retirement to fight Paul, and it will be his first professional boxing fight since retiring in 2005. Tyson had an exhibition match in 2020 against Roy Jones Jr., but his fight with Jake Paul is considered professional. .
Tyson’s fight against Paul will not only be his first professional boxing fight in nearly 20 years, but it will also give him the chance to end his career on a higher note than before. Tyson’s last professional fight against heavyweight Kevin McBride ended in a resounding defeat. It was considered a big surprise, and Tyson himself considered the fight embarrassing, even apologizing to the public (via USA today). His fight against Jake Paul will be a chance to go out on a much higher note, even if the match has some unusual rules and regulations.
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson is a sanctioned fight
The result of the match will feature the professional records of Tyson and Paul
The fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson is a sanctioned fight. This means the match is not an exhibition and will feature the professional records of Mike Tyson and Jake Paul.. It also means that the fight will have official referees and judges to determine the winner if there is no knockout or TKO. According to Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Jake Paul’s boxing and fighting promotional company, it was Mike Tyson’s decision to have the fight sanctioned and count towards his professional record (via ESPN).
“It was [Tyson’s] choice, not that Jake didn’t want to do it [as a sanctioned fight]. We were bringing Mike Tyson back into the sport and I believe that was more significant as professional fighting.”
Both Tyson and Paul have impressive win-loss records, and their fight will be one of the few that the two boxers have arranged. Tyson has a 50-6 record with 44 knockout wins, and Paul has a 10-1 record with seven knockout wins.. Both fighters will want to maintain their records, but one of them will likely walk away with an additional loss as long as the fight doesn’t end in a draw. As part of being considered a sanctioned fight, however, fighters had to agree to a set of rules that included three caveats that deviated from normal boxing regulations.
The Paul x Tyson fight will have 8 rounds
Paul vs. Tyson will last four rounds less than average and each round will be one minute shorter
Most boxing fights last 10 or 12 rounds, but the fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will only last eight rounds. In addition to having four fewer rounds in total, each round of the fight between Paul and Tyson will also last just two minutes, rather than the standard three minutes for male boxers. (through CBS Sports). Based on the fighters’ records and the number of knockout wins, however, there is a good chance the fight will not last eight rounds. These caveats to the sanctioned standard boxing rules were likely implemented for health reasons, as was another rule that makes the fight between Paul and Tyson unique.
Jake Paul and Mike Tyson are using 14oz boxing gloves for their fight
Heavier gloves reduce punching power to keep Tyson and Paul safe
One of the terms of the fight between Tyson and Paul was that the boxers would use 14-ounce gloves. THE Texas Department of Licensing and RegulationBrazil’s rules for combative sports, however, state that “Competitors in all weight categories up to and including 147 pounds must wear eight-ounce gloves. In the heavier classes they can use ten ounce gloves.” According to Associated press, Heavier gloves reduce the speed and power of a boxer’s punches, so punches are less likely to result in injury. Fourteen-ounce gloves are typically only used for sparring and practice, not for sanctioned fights.
The decision to use 14-ounce gloves was made due to Tyson and Paul’s age, medical exams, win-loss record and number of knockout wins, factors that could put them at risk. There were some health risks that may have been taken into consideration in the decision. Tyson is 58 years old and has some of the health problems associated with aging and a decades-long boxing career. He also has separate health problems: In May, Tyson suffered an ulcer outbreak that required paramedics to be on scene and delayed his fight with Paul from its original July 20 date. (through FightMag).
Assessments included brain and heart scans, and a TDLR representative said Tyson and Paul were fit to fight.
Mike Tyson’s health problems that led to his fight with Jake Paul were actually a source of controversy. Matchroom Boxing CEO Mike Hearn said he would not attend the Paul vs. Tyson match to protest 27-year-old Paul fighting 58-year-old Tyson (via ESPN).
“The reality is that 20 years ago, when Mike Tyson retired from the sport, he was shot, completely finished. It was really sad to watch then, 20 years ago. wouldn’t be in a ring again. If I were Jake Paul, I would feel a little embarrassed to be honest with you. This is dangerous, irresponsible and, in my opinion, disrespectful to the sport of boxing.
Hearn’s concerns may be well-founded, but as part of it being a sanctioned fight, both Tyson and Paul had to undergo medical evaluations. Those evaluations included brain and heart scans, and a TDLR representative said both Tyson and Paul were fit to fight. (through Mirror). The TDLR also requires a ringside doctor to be present at every fight that takes place, and they will monitor both fighters and provide any medical attention if necessary.
Who decided the rules for the fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson?
The Texas Department of Licensing and Registration sanctioned the fight and decided the rules
The rules for the fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson were decided by the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration. Since the fight will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the TDLR had jurisdiction over the rules of the fight. The TDLR licenses several different combative sports in Texas, including boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Muay Thai and kickboxing. The TDLR also carried out medical examinations of both Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, and adjusted its sanctioned rules accordingly.
Sources: USA today, CBS Sports, ESPN, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Associated press, FightMag, Mirror