Texas’ boxing commission will officially sanction the upcoming July 20th bout between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul as a professional boxing match, no longer making it an exhibition as had first been speculated. Instead, the two fighters will step into the ring with presumably the allowance to fight each other at full strength under pro boxing rules.
The decision by the Texas’ boxing commission, the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration (TDLR) has not been substantiated upon or explained by the boxing commission itself as it was the organizers and participants of the event that released the information, including Mike Tyson himself who seemed elated at the news.
“Yes, it’s a real sanctioned fight with.” Mike Tyson posted on Twitter/X.
According to multiple sources, the Tyson-Paul bout will be set for a total of 8 rounds, with 2 minutes set per round. Both fighters will be wearing 14-ounce boxing gloves rather than the standard 10-ounce gloves as seen in professional heavyweight boxing matches. The two will further be competing at heavyweight under normal pro boxing rules, meaning the two can presumably knock each other out.
For both Mike Tyson and Jake Paul (9-1, 6 KO’s), the TDLR’s decision also means their upcoming fight will count on both fighters’ record, which comes with its own consequences. Tyson’s last official pro boxing bout was a stoppage loss to Irish heavyweight Kevin McBride in 2005, while Paul last faced inactive journeyman Ryan Bourland (17-3, 6 KO’s) in March of this year.
The TDLR’s choice to sanction this bout appears to be the most hypocritical move they have made yet, with the commission opting to suspend and overturn Keyshawn Davis’ (10-0, 7 KO’s) match against Nahir Albright (16-2, 7 KO’s) for the use of cannabis, yet being quite adamant on seeing a 57-year old [58 by the time of the July 20 event] Mike Tyson fight a 27-year old Jake Paul. Due to the age difference, with Paul considered to be at an age where he is at his peak while Tyson may be far past his prime, the professional nature of the match does not appear to favor Tyson.
Alternatively, the bout might be viewed as the TDLR allowing a widely inexperienced fighter in Paul to face a thoroughly seasoned fighter in Tyson who may have plenty of tricks in his bag that Paul cannot properly prepare for due to his inexperience.
Despite the controversial nature of the TDLR’s decision, the Tyson-Paul bout is set to continue on July 20th at the 90.000-capacity AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, and threaten to draw the bulk of casual boxing fans towards this event more than any other boxing show that has and will occur this year as it will be additionally featured as a non-PPV event on Netflix.
