FILE PHOTO: Mike Tyson exits the ring after his split draw against Roy Jones, Jr. during a heavyweight exhibition boxing bout for the WBC Frontline Belt at the Staples Center on Nov 28, 2020. He is set to fight Youtuber Jake Paul in July. –Joe Scarnici/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports
AUSTIN, Texas— Mike Tyson’s fight against Jake Paul in Texas this summer has been sanctioned as a competitive boxing match rather than an exhibition, and the rounds will be shorter and the gloves will be heavier.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation this week approved terms for the July 20 fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Netflix will provide live coverage of the bout between the 27-year-old Paul, a social media star-turned-boxer, and 57-year-old Tyson, who hasn’t fought since an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020.
READ: Mike Tyson says he is still a huge draw despite age
A Department of licensing and Regulation spokesperson said in an email to The Associated Press on Tuesday that “this will be a professional bout with a referee and judges and the results will count as part of the fighters’ professional records. So — it’s an actual competitive fight.”
The fight is scheduled for eight two-minute rounds; most men’s pro fights have three-minute rounds. The boxer’s gloves will weigh 14 ounces instead of the standard pro weight of 10 ounces; heavier gloves reduce the power of punches.
FILE–Jake Paul poses for a photo after defeating Nate Diaz at the American Airlines Center on August 05, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. Sam Hodde/Getty Images/AFP
In approving terms for fights, the department’s combative sports staff considers, among other factors, each contestant’s age, medical tests, win-loss record and losses by knockout or technical knockout.
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Tyson was the undisputed world heavyweight champion from 1987-90. He retired in 2005 after winning 50 fights, 44 by knockout.