Netflix have confirmed the rules for Jake Paul’s highly-anticipated fight with Mike Tyson in Texas. The hugely controversial bout will see the YouTuber-turned-boxer face the long-retired former undisputed world heavyweight champion.
Concerns have been raised over the 31-year age gap between the pair. Paul, in the peak of his athletic powers, is 27 and was only eight when Tyson fought in his last professional fight in 2005.
Tyson is now 58 and was forced to postpone the bout earlier this year, recently revealing that it was due to an ulcer issue.
Rules, which have now been approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations, have been amended to reflect the unique nature of the fight. Netflix have confirmed that each round will last only two minutes, as opposed to the usual three.
There will only be eight rounds, different to the 12 used in most professional men’s bouts. The weight of the gloves has also been changed from 10-ounce to 14-ounce, weakening the impact of punches.
Neither fighter will wear headgear, despite some safety concerns being raised. If there is no knockout, three judges will be on hand to score the fight as usual.
The fight is part of a co-main event card which includes a crunch rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano. Two years ago, the duo sold out Madison Square Garden and Taylor won by a narrow split decision.
Rules for their fight follow the traditional women’s boxing format. They will battle for 10 two-minute rounds to decide a winner.
Meanwhile, despite concerns over his safety, Tyson insists he is physically fit and ready to fight. He told the BBC: “No one is taking it easy on me. They want to see if I quit or not and I’m still here. All the training is over now. The fight is the party, the training is preparation, but the fight is the party.”
Speaking at a bizarre press conference, which was momentarily disrupted by a stunt from former boxer Tony Bellew, Tyson refused to engage with goading from Paul. The American asked the boxing icon about comments he made in a documentary, in which he described himself as a “natural-born killer”.
Tyson responded: “That’s what I said.”
Bellew halted the press conference with a satirical stunt in which he brought in an elderly man. The Liverpool-born fighter suggested that the individual – whose name he claimed is Norman – could be Paul’s next opponent and joked he only fights “grandfathers”.
