YouTuber Jake Paul and Mike Tyson are taking to the ring this Friday.
It seems that everywhere we turn, everyone is talking about the upcoming Jake Paul and Mike Tyson boxing match. Well, with 300 million viewers expected to tune in on Netflix, there will be a lot of eyes on it.
A series of controversial rule changes have led seven of the 38 states that accept gambling on boxing matches to turn their back on the fight, while there are also accusations that it's already been 'fixed' in Paul's favor. While the pair could've gone for a non-sanctioned fight, Paul claims that former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world was the one who pushed for a sanctioned fight.
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As per the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, both will be ordered to rest for a minimum of seven days. The legislation of a sanctioned fight in Texas reiterates that both fighters will be made to rest for three days for every round fought. This could be up to a maximum of 24 days if the fight goes for all eight rounds. This in itself has been a divisive rule change, with Paul and Tyson duking it out over eight two-minute rounds instead of the usual three-minute stints over 10 or 12 rounds.
Paul and Tyson will be assessed after the fight, and if either loses by technical knockout, they'll be suspended for a minimum period of 30 days. If it ends in a knockout, the one who is knocked out will be forced to rest for at least 60 days.
Looking back at their fighting track record, Tyson has scored an impressive 44 knockouts when compared to Paul's seven. Then again, "Iron Mike" has been doing it a lot longer. It is possible to KO Tyson, with Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Danny Williams, and Buster Douglas being responsible for four of his six losses.
There are no further fights on the horizon, so it's unlikely that either would be stepping back into the ring in the next two months anyway.
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The pair can appeal their suspensions, with the TDLR stating: "Medical disqualification of a contestant is for their own safety and may be made at the recommendation of the examining physician or TDLR.
“A contestant who disagrees with a medical disqualification, medical suspension or rest period set at the discretion of a ringside physician or a disqualification or suspension set by the department may request a hearing to show proof of fitness."
There's also a possibility that the legislators could look into the incident where Tyson slapped Paul at their final weigh-in, although it's expected to slide.
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Even though Paul's Most Valuable Promotions had originally pushed for this to be an exhibition fight, it looks like Tyson got his way to get a fully sanctioned professional fight. Still, the fact that not everyone is taking bets shows that not everyone thinks Paul vs Tyson is as official as it could be.