Mike Tyson’s showdown with Jake Paul has been officially sanctioned as a professional fight, marking a significant development in their highly anticipated match scheduled for July 20.
The former heavyweight boxing champion is set to face off against the YouTuber-turned-fighter in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations has given its approval for the bout to be contested professionally, adding more stakes to the event.
The fight will consist of eight rounds, each lasting two minutes, with both fighters required to wear 14-ounce gloves. Knockouts will be permitted, and headgear will not be worn.
Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, expressed gratitude for reaching this milestone, stating that Tyson and Paul have committed to a sanctioned professional fight with a definitive outcome.
The highly anticipated event is scheduled to take place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and will be streamed on Netflix.
Tyson, now 57, last fought professionally in 2005, while his opponent Paul, aged 27, will be facing him with a remarkable 31-year age difference.
Despite Tyson’s age, he has demonstrated his enduring passion for the sport, with his last professional win dating back to 2003 against Clifford Etienne.
His recent exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020 ended in a split decision, though the result did not impact either fighter’s professional records. As the fight approaches, anticipation continues to build for this clash between boxing icons from different generations.