Ella Scott
Boxing fans are calling the approaching bout between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson a ‘televised sparring session’ after learning of all the approved rule changes.
Former undisputed heavyweight champion Tyson, 58, is now just a day away from returning to the ring to resume his prolific boxing career.
On Friday (November 15), the father-of-seven is set to come face-to-face with 27-year-old Jake Paul, who serves as his first pro opponent since his shock defeat to Ireland’s Kevin McBride in 2005.
‘Iron’ Mike vs ‘The Problem Child’ was initially delayed earlier this year when Tyson suffered a health emergency. But after months of anticipation and back-and-forth, the pair will descend on the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, tomorrow (Friday 15 November).
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Fans who aren’t willing to fork out £2 million for a VIP ticket can tune in to a stream via Netflix, with coverage of the full fight card commencing from 8 p.m. ET.
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Ahead of the fight, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) has laid down three major conditions for the sanctioned fight between Paul and Tyson to go ahead.
One of the first major rule changes approved by the TDLR is that the sportsmen will be wearing 14oz gloves instead of the standard 10oz gloves worn in a heavyweight fight.
Contrary to popular opinion, heavier gloves do not actually hit harder. They actually have the opposite effect, which is why they’re almost exclusively worn during sparring sessions.
The bout will also see headguards being banned while three impartial judges will stand ringside and score in the eventuality that there is no knockout.
Another major ruling is that instead of the traditional 12 three-minute rounds, the Tyson and Paul clash has been reduced to eight two-minute competitions.
Tyson has claimed it was his decision to shorten the rounds, claiming: “If we have shorter rounds, we’ll fight more. More action”.
Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, added: "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 it was more meaningful as a pro fight.”
The divisive rule changes have sparked conversation among fans though, with one taking to social media to write: "Nope. Two minute rounds . Heavier more padded gloves! This is strictly built for entertaining Jake’s fans. That being said, Tyson in 2."
A second disgruntled fan commented: “If it's pro fight then the rules also must be in pro boxing rule.”
“Practically a televised sparring session,” remarked someone else, while a fourth commented: “Sanctioned as a professional fight yet it's only 8 rounds in total and everyone knows for a fact Jake Paul is not a professional boxer.”
However many others have come out in defense of match, with one excited fan writing: “The two minute rule is HUGE. At Tyson's age, a two minute sprint, one minute recovery is much easier than three on, one off."
“2 min fights good, y'all have no attention span no excuse to miss the fight now, should be the most viewed fight,” said another.
Tyson vs Paul serves as the latter’s first pro fight since 2005 and the follow-up to his 2020 exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr in 2020.
Opposite him the YouTuber has 11 professional bouts under his belt, with his latest being his TKO victory over Mike Perry, 33, last July.