REPORT | Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson targeted as professional fight, not exhibition

The boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson is eyed to be a real, professional fight.

Last week, ‘The Problem Child’ and ‘Iron Mike’ signed a deal to fight in the boxing ring on July 20th. The two are set to headline a Netflix-broadcasted event, for the first time that the service has streamed a fight. The bout was announced as a heavyweight one, and the fight will go down at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

However, that’s where the details end for Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson. While Netflix released a trailer for the boxing match, fans still had a lot of questions about the bout. The first and foremost question is,  Would the fight be a real one? In the past few years, names such as Floyd Mayweather have made exhibition bouts popular.

For the unaware, an exhibition fight is essentially more akin to a sparring match. The fight may have judges, but they won’t be appointed by an athletic commission. Furthermore, the bout wouldn’t count on either Jake Paul or Mike Tyson’s professional records if it is an exhibition contest. ‘Iron Mike’ already competed in one of these, fighting to a draw against Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020.

However, if Jake Paul and Mike Tyson get their way, their fight will be a real one. As first reported by Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Most Valuable Promotions are hoping to get the Texas State Athletic Commission to sanction the bout as a professional one. Although, that’s, ultimately going to be up to the state itself.

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Ariel Helwani offers details for Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match

“They’re still working on a few important details based on the conversations I’ve had.” Ariel Helwani stated on The MMA Hour earlier today, discussing Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson. “Is it pro or is it exhibition? They want pro, but that’s up to the Texas commission, we’ll have to wait and see. Weight? I’m told heavyweight. Rounds? I’m working on that as well.”

He continued, “I saw an interview with Derek Chisora where he said there would be headgear. I was told there’s absolutely no headgear involved. This is going to look like your typical boxing match. It’s just like, exhibition like Mike’s last fight was against Roy Jones in November 2020? Or is it just going to be a normal, pro-heavyweight fight that has no strings attached in that regard?”

If Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson is sanctioned as a professional fight, it will be the latter’s first in nearly 20 years. The boxing legend’s last pro bout was a 2005 knockout loss to Kevin McBride. Nearly two decades later, he’s returning to face ‘The Problem Child’.

What do you make of these comments from Ariel Helwani? Will you watch Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson when it happens?