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Is Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul ‘scripted’ or is it a real fight?

Vaseline November 16, 2024

Word has it that several US states have banned betting on Friday’s fight between boxer Mike Tyson and attention star Jake Paul. For example, you can’t place a bet in New York, or make a bet in Colorado, where gaming commissioners treat the event as something akin to an exhibition. That’s despite the fight being officially sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, but anything goes in Texas.

The fight is dressed up as a professional boxing fight, but it’s easy to understand why some within the sport are uncomfortable. The two outcomes of a truly brutal match would be: a 27-year-old gym jock beats up an ailing 58-year-old grandfather; or one of the most ruthless boxers of all time beats down an out-of-control YouTuber. Anyway, the optics aren’t great.

Therefore, it is unlikely that any of these things will happen. Both boxers will wear heavy 14oz gloves to slow the hands and cushion the impact, instead of the standard 10oz gloves.

The fight will take place in eight two-minute rounds, instead of the usual twelve three-minute rounds. It is officially approved, but it is also intended to prevent real horror.

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul face off at a press conference in Irving, Texas (Getty Images)

The build-up is filled with skepticism from people wondering if this is a real boxing fight or a wrestling-style soap opera with the storyline already written.

“I heard and believe there is something in the contract that means Tyson can’t even try to hurt him,” Carl Froch said. casino.org. “I’m sure if Tyson landed a big left or right hook to Jake Paul’s chin he could knock him out…I don’t really see that happening though. In my opinion, it’s all predetermined for Paul, and Tyson won’t get the chance to do that.”

Mike Tyson’s former coach Teddy Atlas expressed similar concerns.

“My only question…is it real?” Atlas said The sun. “Maybe so, I hope there is… But will there be an honest attempt to do what always wants to be done, to destroy that guy, to knock him out?”

There is no evidence that the outcome of the fight is ‘determined’, as Froch claims, not least because it would be practically impossible to include the outcome in a legally binding boxing contract. Perhaps “phased” is a more accurate assessment.

It is not the first time that Paul’s boxing credentials have come under scrutiny. He was forced to deny rumors that his victory over Tyron Woodley included a “no knockout policy” following unfounded allegations from MMA fighter Dillon Danis. A ‘script’ for his fight with Tommy Fury circulated on social media before it was debunked as a hoax.

Paul insists he will take down the former heavyweight great (Getty Images for Netflix)

Paul is adamant about the legitimacy of the battle. During their press conference on Wednesday, he urged Tyson to be “that old wild Mike” in the ring so no one can question his victory, previously tweeting: “Official rules for #PaulTyson. Someone’s getting fucking knocked out. The end.”

A look back at Tyson’s most recent visit to the ring, a relatively tame exhibition with Roy Jones Jr., doesn’t exactly allay fears that Friday’s bout at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium might not live up to the fight talk — all hats and no. cattle, as they say in Texas. Still, there will have to be some kind of outcome, with an experienced referee and three judges scoring at ringside, which will certainly give the appearance of a fair fight.

Paul’s business partner Nakisa Bidarian, whose company Most Valuable Promotions is organizing the evening, pointed out that it would be a “federal crime” to determine the outcome.

“These are pro fights that consumers are legally betting on,” he told ESPN. “I don’t think the critic who says these aren’t real fights is thinking about (how) there would be jail time if we actually did this kind of thing. We have never, and never will, do anything other than an above-the-table and 100 percent pro fight unless we come out clearly and say, ‘Hey, this is an exhibition fight that’s a show.’

Tyson vowed: 'I'm not going to lose!' but the much younger Paul is the favourite — Tyson vowed: ‘I’m not going to lose!’ but the much younger Paul is the favourite (Getty)

There is still a lot of concern about what exactly entertainment is offered here. A US state commissioner has said the event would be ‘problematic’ for boxing if Tyson were injured, while promoter Eddie Hearn, who is embroiled in a protracted legal battle with Paul after the boxer accused him of bribing a judge, said that he would not dignify the fight by watching it.

“The reality is that 20 years ago, when Mike Tyson retired from the sport, he got shot and was done,” Hearn said. “It was actually sad to see. If I were Jake Paul, I’d honestly be a little embarrassed. This is dangerous, irresponsible and, in my opinion, disrespectful to the sport of boxing.”

Tyson has been involved in many infamous fights during his career, including one that ended with chants of “Fix!” from an angry mob in Las Vegas. It was Tyson’s first match after leaving prison in 1996, and his challenger Bruce Seldon fell to the canvas twice under apparently light contact before being counted out. Seldon denied taking a dive, and the incident was quickly overshadowed by the murder of Tupac Shakur in the street later that night.

That was a long time ago and a very different Tyson. It’s not just that he’s almost 60 years old; he suffered a major health crisis this year and almost died, in his own words. Taking punishment from the younger, fitter man would be a worrying sight even for boxing, which is why it probably won’t happen. It will be a spectacle, that’s for sure. There will be no script. But anyone tuning in for blood and thunder might do well to catch Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano ahead of time.