'If that’s what Mike wants,' Jake Paul says Mike Tyson raised the stakes to PRO fight; considers it a win-win

Play-by-play veteran Daniel Cormier recently said that if he does beat Tyson, it’s a no-win situation, but Paul disagreed. ‘The Problem Child’ says he respects the legend, and a pro record against someone like Tyson only bolsters his resume. Meanwhile, ‘Iron Mike‘ has also, time and again, defended the matchup as a good draw. Jake Paul says he can take a wobble or two from the KO artist but cautions the same.

He ardently advocates that if it’s a pro boxing bout, it be under Tyson’s advisement. Despite fans doubting the event will sell out an 80,000-seater arena (along with Netflix streaming), Paul promises it’ll have massive gate buys. However, he’s not willing to be a cautionary tale matching up an older opponent. Hence, Paul clarifies that Tyson wanted to raise the stakes.

The rules and media tour frame for Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson pro boxing bout

The hype for Mike Tyson returning to fight influencer-boxer Jake Paul is building, albeit with baggage. Paul meets the boxer – 30 years his senior, on July 20. As recently announced, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations will stipulate it under pro-boxing rules.

Tyson hasn’t been in a sanctioned outing since Kevin McBride stopped him in 2005, around 19 years ago. He last fought Roy Jones Jr. in a slow-paced exhibition affair in 2020. Tyson boasts a sturdy 50-6-1 record with 44 career KOs. However, given that he’ll be 58 by the time the bout officially rolls in, the rules are different.

The bout will be contested over eight two-minute rounds to keep up with Tyson’s pace. In some nations, two-minute rounds are the standard for WMMA, women’s boxing, and bare-hand boxing styles.

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...Over the past six weeks, MVP has worked with its partners to satisfy the requirements of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations to sanction Paul vs. Tyson, and we are grateful that we have gotten to this point. Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions (@MostVpromotions), in an Official statement to ESPN

Meanwhile, Paul has his challenges as well. Fighting as a cruiserweight, he has had a hydration limit of up to 200 pounds, and now, he has risen to heavyweight. The duo will meet on May 13 at the Apollo Theater in New York City and on May 16 at Texas Live! in Arlington, Texas. Tickets go on sale after the media day staredowns and fan Q&A sessions. Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano also feature as co-main eventers for their fateful rematch, adding to the hype.