If it didn’t seem serious before, it should now! Just the other day, it was revealed that the July 20 clash between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will be a professional bout, sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations. And now ‘The Problem Child’ reveals why and how the exhibition fight was turned into a professional affair.
The heavyweight fight will see Tyson and Paul battle each other with 14-ounce gloves in eight two minute rounds. This very decision seems to have caused a rift among fans, who aren’t on board with the fight being a professional one because of two-minute rounds and not three. Even so, the question is, how did all this become possible? In the latest episode of BS w/ Jake Paul, the former Disney star tells all.
Jake Paul begins the blame game!
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During the podcast, shared on YouTube on 2 May, one of the hosts brought up how the fight is a lose-lose situation for Paul. Explaining if he wins, people will say Tyson was old, Paul highlighted it wasn’t his decision or preference to make their fight a professional dance. He said, “I just want to make it clear that Mike Tyson was the one who wanted it to be a pro fight.”
He further elaborated, explaining, “Mike got into the training camp, called up people in my team and was like, let’s do a pro fight. Netflix was like, let’s make it into a pro fight. If that’s what Mike wants, then that’s fine.” However, the Cleveland-born influencer boxer specifically cautioned how this decision from Tyson changed the fight entirely.
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Paul revealed his business partner, Nakisa Bidarian, told him “There’s no holding back” anymore. So, even Paul declared, “This is war now. I respect him as the legend and I am going to f**king put him down.” However, like every good story, there’s a twist!
Tyson’s publicist denies Paul’s assertion
A day after Paul’s weekly podcast hit social media, USA Today Sports caught up with Joann Mignano, Tyson’s publicist. When asked whether Tyson was the one who proposed the new rules, Mignano revealed it wasn’t Tyson. Even though she didn’t name which party proposed the rule, Mignano claimed Tyson doesn’t seem too opposed to them. “However, Mike is happy with the two-minute rounds because it gives Jake less of an opportunity to run around,” the publicist told the reporter.
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She further claimed Tyson was happy with using even 10-ounce or 12-ounce gloves as well because “it doesn’t make a difference to him.” It’s also worth mentioning that the fight was originally supposed to feature 16-ounce gloves, according to Mignano. However, after the proposed new professional rules, 14-ounce gloves were seen as the perfect match. The new rules are seemingly benefiting both parties, as the 14-ounce gloves will help Paul manage some of Tyson’s destructive power. Meanwhile, the shorter rounds will help Tyson mange his stamina at the age of 58.
Whether people like it or not, the rules seem to have been finalized by the authorities! The only thing left to look forward to is the fight itself. It’s yet to be seen whether the new rules benefit Tyson more, or Paul. However, one thing is guaranteed, and that’s – July 20 is turning into an exciting night. Who do you think is telling the truth? Paul or Tyson’s publicist?