Mike Tyson has revealed why he and Jake Paul will be competing over unconventional two-minute rounds.
The heavyweight clash is being sanctioned as a professional bout under the auspices of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR) although they will square off under a modified rule set.
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Paul vs Tyson is set for July 20 and is being sanctioned as a pro boutCredit: Esther Lin/MVP
Paul and Tyson will box over eight, two-minute rounds, rather than the traditional three minutes and will duke it out in 14oz gloves instead of the 10z ones pro boxers usually wear.
It is presently unclear why the weight of the mitts was adjusted but according to Tyson, the length of the rounds was changed on his request.
Asked why he wanted to reduce the length of the rounds during the launch press conference last week, Tyson replied: “I wanted shorter rounds for more action.
“If we have shorter rounds, we’ll fight more. More action.”
Paul and Tyson go toe to toe at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on July 20 live on Netflix.
Tyson will be 58 years old by the time he steps into the ring while Paul is in his physical prime at 27.
The staggering 31 year age gap is the biggest in pro boxing bout history.
It surpasses the 24-year discrepancy between 49-year-old Archie Moore and 25-year-old Mike DiBiase when they met on March 15, 1963, in ‘The Old Mongoose’s’ swansong fight.
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Tyson asked for the length of the rounds to be reduced to allow for ‘more action’Credit: AFP
Moore, who holds the distinction of being the longest-reigning light-heavyweight world champion of all time, overcame the cards stacked against him to stop DiBiase in the third round.
Tyson will be hoping to do the same when he steps to the ring against Paul although the former undisputed heavyweight champion opens up as a moderate underdog with the bookies.
The fight has been met with considerable backlash from fans and experts alike, who feel Tyson shouldn’t be boxing in the paid ranks again, especially against a man that much younger than him.
Mike Tyson reacts furiously and snaps at reporter after being labelled ‘58-year-old gimmick’ for fighting Jake Paul
Queensberry Boxing promoter Frank Warren has branded the decision to sanction the fight as a pro bout ‘ridiculous’.
Meanwhile, promotional rival Eddie Hearn was left ‘very sad’ by the announcement.
But Tyson doesn’t seem particularly concerned.
Responding to the critics, he said: “The people who said [it shouldn’t go ahead] wish they were up here. Because no one else can do it.
“Who else can do this? Who else can shut the sporting world down, no one else can do it. So you got the both of us.
“We’re friends, but in that ring we’re not going to be friends.”
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