Mike Tyson to face YouTuber Jake Paul in exhibition bout on 20 July

In a surprising turn of events, former world champion Mike Tyson has announced that his upcoming boxing match against YouTuber Jake Paul on 20 July will be an exhibition bout and not an official fight. The 58-year-old Tyson, whose professional career ended in 2005, will face the 27-year-old Paul in Texas, three weeks after his birthday.

Tyson made it clear that despite being labeled as an exhibition, this will be a real fight with no holds barred. The match will not count towards their professional records, but it will surely be a spectacle to watch. The event will be broadcast live on the streaming platform Netflix and will take place at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, with a seating capacity of 80,000.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) has confirmed that the event has been approved, with specific rules in place for exhibition fights. The combatants will wear bigger gloves, have two-minute rounds, and fight in fewer rounds than a sanctioned professional bout. There will be a referee present, but no judges, and no winner will be declared.

Tyson, who had his most recent exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr in April 2020, is no stranger to the ring. With 50 wins and six defeats in his professional career, he is a formidable opponent. On the other hand, Paul has won nine of his 10 boxing fights, with his only loss coming against Briton Tommy Fury in February 2023.

Speaking to Fox Sports, Tyson expressed his confidence in facing Paul, stating that the YouTuber has come a long way from his online videos. With both fighters gearing up for this highly anticipated match, fans can expect a thrilling showdown between the seasoned veteran and the rising star.