Is Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson a Sanctioned Pro Fight? Here’s Everything We Know So Far

Slowly, the proposed details of the upcoming Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight are coming to light. Will it be an official matchup or will it be an exhibition bout?  Recent updates regarding both of these potential cases have surfaced.

On the 20th of July, at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, 57-year-old Tyson will enter the ring four years after his last engagement in the ring. He fights the much younger, 27-year-old, Jake Paul. A fight that stars a retired, senior fighter like Tyson would generally assume an exhibition-esque nature. However, the organizers of the fight have some ambitions regarding the bout.

Sanctioned bout or a sparring contest in public?

Boxing reporter, Michael Benson reported on his X profile that it has not been ascertained yet if the summer fight will sanctioned by a body. According to him, the final decision to sanction it will be taken by the Texas Commission. However, if declared as an exhibition matchup, it would follow the rules of Tyson’s previous fight against Roy Jones Jr.

He noted, “Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson is reportedly being targeted to be an officially sanctioned pro boxing match – Texas Commission will make the final decision on this. If it’s an exhibition, it will be like Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr and still have no headgear.” Certain details on this front were also provided by Ariel Helwani on yesterday’s MMA Hour live podcast.

While Helwani’s sources suggest that if the fight were to happen under exhibition leeway, there would be no headgear in the mix, Derek Chisora noted otherwise. The British heavyweight told Radio Rahim, “I know for a fact they are using 18oz gloves and head guards if I’m not mistaken. I think so. So we’re watching a sparring match. It’s a f****** joke. You think I’m paying to watch that?”

For ‘Problem Child’, engaging in an exhibition fight wouldn’t significantly advance his career, except for the substantial paycheck and the hype it would generate. He is strategizing his journey towards a championship fight, which necessitates facing professional fighters to bolster his record. However, a crucial question remains: will his showdown with ‘Iron Mike’ be regarded seriously enough to propel him along that path?

Meanwhile, Helwani also spilled the beans on another crucial detail of the fight. How many people are expected to attend the glamorous event? A historic number, he suggests. 

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson to Have Historic Attendance

The boxing reporter noted that organizers for the July fight are looking at an estimated 65,000 to 80,000 spectators in attendance at the grand AT&T Stadium. He said, “It hasn’t been decided, they’re working on it right now, I’m told, in terms of what the configuration will be. But it’s going to be somewhere around 65,000-80,000 in terms of spectators. Absurd.”

To put things in perspective, Paul’s last fight against Ryan Bourland had about 20,000 spectators in the San Juan, Puerto Rico location. For Tyson’s matchup with Jones Jr., about 6,000 folks came in. Furthermore, in recent boxing history, 2020’s Tyson Fury vs. Dillian Whyte had the highest attendance, with about 94,000 headcounts at Wembley Stadium in London.

Also Read: Jake Paul Gives Absurd Reason for Wanting to Knockout Mike Tyson: “Ever Since That Day…”

With each detail that emerges, the intrigue around the fight intensifies more. Do you think the fight should be a professional one or happen in all its exhibition-esque fashion? Take your picks in the comments section below.