Is Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul a Professional Boxing Fight? Are Knockouts Allowed? Rules, Regulations, and More

The much-awaited clash between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson is less than a month away. Earlier scheduled for July 20th, the controversial fight will now take place on November 15th at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Earlier this year, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations sanctioned this match as a professional fight rather than an exhibition. But, no matter what, it is not your conventional pro-boxing fight. After all, a 58-year-old man who retired from the sport more than two decades ago will take on a former YouTuber. That is why TDLR, the regulatory body of combat sports in Texas, has made rather rare changes in the rules and regulations for this fight. Let’s take a look at what they are.

All rules of Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul boxing fight explained

First of all, rather than the classic three-minute round, the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight will have a two-minute long round. Iron Mike stated that shorter rounds will mean more action, which is true, but it will also help Tyson maintain his stamina throughout the 8 rounds. Yes, the fight will be for eight rounds, with each fighter using 14-ounce gloves. Tyson’s last bout with Roy Jones Jr. in 2020 also had 8 rounds of 2-minutes each. But that was an exhibition fight and not a professional fight. So their knockouts were not allowed. However, rules are a bit different this time.

Image Credits – Imago

Shots to the head will be allowed and so will knockouts. The heavyweight showdown might also feature some weight disparity. As Jake Paul has previously stated, he is targeting to be around 220 for the fight while he expects Tyson to be around 235.

A boxing ring must measure a minimum of 16 by 16 feet and a maximum of 24 by 24 feet. So, there is a possibility of a smaller ring, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Furthermore, the former heavyweight champion has also shared his desire for a smaller ring to reduce the chase time. According to him, Paul is likely going to outbox and Tyson will have to chase him.

Even though this is a professional bout, TDLR has made a significant and rather rare exception for this match that will affect the fight hugely.

Boxing officials make a rare change to the Tyson vs. Paul fight

Usually, for a professional fight, the boxers wear 10-ounce gloves. However, for this bout, both boxers are allowed to use 14-ounce gloves. This will be the first time that something like this will happen in Texas. Additionally, two-minute rounds for a professional fight are also very rare in the city. Tela Mange, the communications manager for TDLR stated, “We’ve had a couple of men’s bouts that were professional debuts that were two-minute rounds, but it’s been a while and I haven’t been able to figure out who those were.” 

She further explained the reasons behind TDLR accepting these exceptions for a professional fight. Mange stated, “If two contestants request terms that do not represent a safety issue, and are not in violation of statute and/or rules, then we can agree to regulate the event and ensure those terms are enforced.” According to her, having shorter rounds and heavier gloves does not make the event any more dangerous.

Furthermore, having such rules will safeguard both Jake Paul and Mike Tyson. The latter has had several health scares in recent times, so precautions are the best way to move forward. On the other hand, having heavier gloves might reduce the impact of Tyson’s punches, which we all know can be deadly. The changes accepted by TDLR might dull the event a bit and make it slightly less exciting, but the safety of both fighters should always be the priority.

What are your views about the exceptions made by TDLR for the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight? Let us know your thoughts down below.