Netflix's first live sporting event, the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match, has some unique rules and regulations that might require explanation. The Paul vs. Tyson fight is a major match for both boxers. Jake Paul went from YouTuber to pro 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 match since he retired in 2005. Tyson did have 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 match in nearly 20 years, it will also give him a chance to end his career on a higher note than he previously did. Tyson's last professional fight against heavyweight Kevin McBride ended in a resounding defeat. It was considered a huge upset, and Tyson himself considered the fight embarrassing, even going as far as to apologize to the audience (via USA Today). His fight against Jake Paul will be a chance to go out on a much higher note, even though the match will have some unusual rules and regulations.
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Is A Sanctioned Fight
The Results Of The Match Will Count On Tyson & Paul's Professional Records
The Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson bout is a sanctioned fight. That means the match is not an exhibition, and it will count against both Mike Tyson and Jake Paul's professional records. It also means that the fight will have official referees and judges to determine a winner if there is no knockout or technical knockout. According to Nakisa Bidarian, the co-founder of Jake Paul's boxing and fighting promotional company, it was Mike Tyson's decision to have the fight sanctioned and count against 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 it was more meaningful as a pro fight."
Both Tyson and Paul have impressive win-loss records, and their fight will be one of just a handful the two boxers have combined. Tyson has a record of 50-6, with 44 wins by knockout, and Paul has a record of 10-1, with seven wins by knockout. Both fighters will want to maintain their records, but one of them will likely walk away with an additional loss, assuming their bout doesn't end in a tie. As part of being considered a sanctioned fight, however, the fighters had to agree to a set of rules that included three caveats that diverged from normal boxing regulations.
The Paul vs. Tyson Fight Will Be 8 Rounds
Paul Vs. Tyson Will Last Four Fewer Rounds Than Average & Each Round Will Be A Minute Shorter
Most boxing matches last either 10 or 12 rounds, yet 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 Paul vs. Tyson fight will also last just two minutes instead of the standard three minutes for male boxers (via CBS Sports). Based on the fighters' records and number of wins by knockout, however, there's a good chance the fight will not last eight rounds. These caveats to standard sanctioned boxing rules were likely implemented for health reasons, as was another rule that makes the Paul vs. Tyson fight unique.
Jake Paul & Mike Tyson Are Using 14-Ounce Boxing Gloves For Their Fight
Heavier Gloves Reduce The Power Of Punches To Keep Tyson & Paul Safe
One of the terms of the Tyson vs. Paul fight was that the boxers would use 14-ounce gloves. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation's rules for combative sports, however, states that "Contestants in all weight categories up to, and including 147 lbs, shall use eight-ounce gloves. In heavier classes, they may wear ten-ounce gloves." Per the Associated Press, heavier gloves reduce the speed and power of a boxer's punches, so blows are less likely to result in injuries. Fourteen-ounce gloves are typically only used for sparring and practice, not sanctioned fights.
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The decision to use 14-ounce gloves was made due to Tyson and Paul's age, medical tests, win-loss record, and number of wins by knockout, all of which are factors that could put them at risk. There were some health risks that may have factored into the decision. Tyson is 58 years old, and has some of the health concerns associated with aging and a decades-long boxing career. He also has separate health concerns: in May, Tyson had an ulcer flare-up that required paramedics to be brought on-scene, and it delayed his fight with Paul from its original date of July 20 (via FightMag).
Evaluations included brain and heart scans, and a TDLR representative said both Tyson and Paul were fit to fight.
Mike Tyson's health issues leading up to his fight with Jake Paul have actually been a source of controversy. Mike Hearn, the CEO of Matchroom Boxing, said that he would not attend the Paul vs. Tyson match to protest the 27-year-old Paul fighting the 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 actually sad to watch then, 20 years ago. You only need to speak to him and look at him to know this guy should not be in a ring again. If I was Jake Paul, I'd just feel a little bit embarrassed to be honest with you. This is dangerous, irresponsible and, in my opinion, disrespectful to the sport of boxing."
Hearn's worries may be founded in reason, but as part of being a sanctioned fight, both Tyson and Paul had to pass medical evaluations. Those evaluations included brain and heart scans, and a TDLR representative said both Tyson and Paul were fit to fight (via Mirror). The TDLR also requires a ringside physician to be in attendance for every fight that takes place, and they will monitor both fighters and provide any medical attention if it is needed.
Who Decided On The Rules For The Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Fight?
The Texas Department Of Licensing And Registration Sanctioned The Fight & Decided The Rules
The rules for the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight 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 conducted 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
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