Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight to be sanctioned, pro fight, will count toward records

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations has deemed the July 20 fight between Jake Paul and former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson as a sanctioned, professional fight.

According to ESPN, the heavyweight fight will consist of eight two-minute rounds with each fighter using 14-ounce gloves. The outcome will count toward each boxer’s record.

“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,” Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian said in a statement to ESPN. “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.” Since the announcement of the fight, which will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and will be streamed on Netflix, there were questions surrounding what the rules would be given the two fighters have more than a three-decade age difference.

Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) will be 58 when he fights the 27-tear-old Paul.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.