A major update on potential rules for the superfight between Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson has been issued following on from claims made by Derek Chisora.
9-1 Paul will step into the ring with the Baddest Man on the Planet on July 20 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Instead of pay-per-view, the bout will be shown live on Netflix and be made free for subscribers to the streaming service.
But there has been plenty of intrigue over the fight and the set of rules it will be consist of.
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Tyson is one of greatest heavyweights of all time but Paul predominantly fights at cruiserweight.
All ten of his fights have been professional but Tyson's last bout was a six-round exhibition against Roy Jones Jr in 2020.
Last week former heavyweight challenger Chisora had claimed that the fight will effectively be a sparring match featuring 18oz gloves and headguards.
However, MMA journalist Ariel Helwani has debunked that theory. On the latest MMA Hour show, he said that the fight will be a heavyweight contest and they are hoping it will be sanctioned professionally by the Texas commission.
Helwani is also adamant that there will be no headgear whatsoever and it will have the feel of a regular boxing fight.
He said: “Is it pro or is it exhibition? They want pro, but that’s up to the Texas commission, we’ll have to wait and see. Weight? I’m told heavyweight. Rounds? I’m working on that as well.
“I saw an interview with Derek Chisora where he said there would be headgear. I was told there’s absolutely no headgear involved. This is going to look like your typical boxing match. It’s just like, exhibition like Mike’s last fight was against Roy Jones in November 2020? Or is it just going to be a normal, pro-heavyweight fight that has no strings attached in that regard?”
If it is indeed a pro encounter, it will Tyson's first since he was beaten by Kevin McBride in 2005.
Paul's boxing debut was on the undercard of Tyson's tear-up with Jones at the Staples Center.
Topics: Jake Paul, Mike Tyson, Boxing
Josh Lawless