“We Are Talking About 700 Million”: Mike Tyson’s Advisor Gives Insights Into Jake Paul Fight Amid Exhibition Rumors

Ever since its inception, Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul has been in rumors. Some suggested a no-judge contest. Then some revealed that standard gloves won’t be employed, and some confirmed the use of headgear. These reports have opened up a storm in the boxing world. Now, a voice from Tyson’s inner circle has emerged, providing much-needed clarifications.

On July 20th, in a Texas fight, Tyson, who will be 58 by then, will clash against a much younger opponent. The nature of this fight, given the massive age disparity, prompted multiple criticisms and assumptions. A certain segment asserted that the fight would happen in an exhibition-esque rule set, with certain leeways that official boxing matchups don’t entertain. However, its organisers have stood firm that it will be a serious fight, and the biggest in recent history. The details of such expectations were revealed by Tyson’s Middle East representative.

How many people?

The owner of Lace Up Promotions, Amer Abdallah, a name very close to ‘Iron Mike’ when it comes to his engagement with the Middle East told the Mayweather Channel, “There’s still four months for the fight, so there’s a lot of time to be able to announce a lot of things.” However, he took cognizance of the rampant rumors regarding the fight. The promoter further clarified, “I can guarantee you there will not be headgear, and it’s not going to be 18-ounce gloves. There will be regulation-size gloves.”

Earlier, certain reports underscored that the fighters would wear 16-ounce gloves and the winner would be decided only through knockouts, and not scores. However, Paul’s business partner, Nakisa Bidaren, refuted the rumors. Now, in this well-woven web of conjecture, there are murmurs of the rules allowing the younger Paul brother to rope in Logan Paul in the ring. To the plausibility of this, Abdallah remarked, “I have not heard that. That’s probably going to be absolutely false as well.”

Amer Abdallah also further explained the fight, mainly promoted by Paul’s promotion company, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) is looking at exceeding expectations. Abdallah elaborated, “We are talking about 700 million people. That’s what they’re estimating, will have access to it. Almost 300 million households will be able to view this for free on the largest streaming platform in the world, Netflix. It’s a massive, massive event.” The fight’s streaming rights are with Netflix, and it will be the platform’s first sports event coverage.

Apart from the details that Abdallah explained, a few more concrete things have emerged ahead of the matchup.

Sanctioned or Exhibition? Mike Tyson reveals

The Baddest’s last stint in the ring was four years ago against Roy Jones Jr. The clash was between two fighters of almost similar age. However, now, when Tyson is going against Paul, with 30 years in between to bridge, it seems sensible to have it under exhibition rules for him.

However, for Puerto Rico-based Paul, that would not align with his expected trajectory. While the fight does bring him the money and hype he craves, his boxing record will not move ahead with the fight. Having undertaken 10 fights only, he has explicitly stated he now aims for championship fights. An exhibition bout is hardly the path to chase that aspiration.

Speaking to Fox News, Mike Tyson noted that the fight is deemed to be an exhibition fight. He highlighted, “This is called an exhibition, but if you look up exhibition, you won’t see any of the laws we’re fighting under. This is a fight.”

What do you think about this impending clash? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Also Read: MVP Denies Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul No Winner Unless Knockout Rule