Mike Tyson is going to be making the walk to the ring for real this time.
Tyson’s upcoming July bout against Jake Paul has been sanctioned, Most Valuable Promotions confirmed Monday, marking the former heavyweight champion’s first official fight since 2005.
The fight will featured eight two-minute rounds with 14-ounce gloves, will count for Tyson’s sparkling 50-6 record and will be contested at heavyweight.
“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 press release.
“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 reached this point.”
That this fight is sanctioned is noteworthy since Tyson’s last fight against Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020 did not secure sanctioned approval.
It instead was labeled as an exhibition and had special rules.
Some reports in the lead-up to that fight declared that there would be no knockouts allowed and no winner was declared.
Tyson, who will be 58 when he fights Paul, has been posting several social media videos and pictures of his extensive training for the bout, not just for fight promotion but also likely as proof to Texas regulators that he is fit to battle “The Problem Child.”
While Tyson’s running left much to be desired from social media critics, his combinations drew plenty of memories reminiscent of the past fury that blew past his competition in the 1980s and 1990s.
The betting community has responded overwhelmingly positively to Tyson, making him nearly even-money with Paul.
Tyson also shockingly said he gave up weed and sex in the lead-up to the bout as he looks to stay focused on training.
His publicist told USA Today that Tyson is not using weed since it is a banned substance according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which oversees the state’s combat sports.
