‘Absolutely disgraceful’ – rules for Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson confirmed which has left some fans stunned

Jake Paul's upcoming clash with Mike Tyson will be a sancationed professional boxing bout.

The YouTuber-turned-boxer recently stunned everyone by announcing he will fight Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Texas on July 20.

‘Iron Mike’ claimed that his clash with Paul will be an exhibition earlier this month - but things have changed since then.

On Monday, Paul’s promotional company confirmed that his fight with Tyson will be an officially sanctioned professional boxing match

Most Valuable Promotions : “Who gets the W? Paul vs Tyson is officially a sanctioned professional heavyweight bout. Who puts another W on their record on Saturday, July 20th?”

The heavyweight showdown will be contested over eight, two-minute rounds with each fighter using 14-ounce gloves, but no head gear.

Knockouts are of course allowed as it is a pro contest and the outcome will affect their professional boxing records.

Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was delighted as he confirmed the rules for Paul vs Tyson in an official press release.

“Mike Tyson and Jake Paul signed on to fight each other with the desire to do so in a sanctioned professional fight that would have a definitive outcome,” he said.

"Over the past six weeks, MVP has worked with its partners to satisfy the requirements of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR) to sanction Paul Vs Tyson and we are grateful that we have gotten to this point.

"MVP has championed fighter choice since its inception, including advocating for women’s boxing to be contested with 2 or 3 minute rounds based on the particular fight matchup.

"Paul vs Tyson and Taylor vs Serrano 2 will both be contested with 2-minute rounds and each mega-fight will have its winner.

"Thank you to the TDLR and Holden Boxing for their efforts throughout this process to date and we look forward to working closely with them as we approach fight night.” 

While Bidarian is celebrating, boxing fans are voicing their contempt at the decision to make Paul's fight with Tyson a professional contest.

One person tweeted: "Absolutely disgraceful."

Another said: "Nobody wins. Its a LOSE-LOSE-LOSE everyone Mike Tyson, Jake Paul and fight fans around the world."

Someone else wrote: "F***ing disgusting."

A fourth person fumed: "Disgraceful that from the commission letting someone fight with an 30 year age difference."

Paul reacted to the news by tweeting: "What yall going to say now?"

"Mike Tyson wanted it to be a pro fight. Netflix wanted it to be a pro fight. So I agreed to make it a pro fight. Winner takes all

Tyson added: "Yes it's a real sanctioned fight with Jake Paul."

Paul began his boxing career taking on fellow influencers but recently switched his attention to fighting people with a background in the sport.

In 2023, he bounced back from a defeat to Tommy Fury with three wins over Nate Diaz, Andre August, and Ryan Bourland to improve his record to 9-1.

Tyson hasn't fought professionally since quitting at the end of the sixth round of his fight with journeyman Kevin McBride in June 2005.

The 57-year-old has returned to the ring for exhibition bouts twice since then, the latest being an eight-round split draw with Roy Jones Jr. in November 2022.

Tyson is ending his 19-year retirement with the aim of beating Paul and recording his 51st professional boxing this summer.