Controversial rules for Mike Tyson fight vs Jake Paul explained as they left fans furious

Jake Paul and Mike Tyson are just days away from their huge boxing fight streaming live on Netflix with the rules for the bout laid out in advance.

Taking place in the heart of the USA at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the mega fight will pit former world champion Iron Mike against Paul, a YouTuber turned professional boxer going by the nickname ‘The Problem Child’.

Despite the 31 year age difference, the fight is going ahead – if Tyson can clear two final tests – after being rescheduled following serious health problems for Tyson who thought he was ‘going to die’.

It is one of seven fights on the card, with six undercard fights taking place, organised by Paul’s company Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). Most notably is a rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano for the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and Ring lightweight titles. The main fight has been sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, with three major conditions placed on the Paul vs Tyson bout.

Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson rules

Several conditions were placed on the fight between Paul and Tyson, with them making it slightly different to most professional fights you might have watched.

First up, instead of the standard 10-ounce gloves worn in a heavyweight fight, they will wear 14-ounce gloves. The heavier the glove, the more padding and the more shock absorbed by the glove, rather than the fist and point of contact on the opposition fighter.

Following this up, there will be eight rounds instead of the usual 12.

And for those eight rounds, they will be two minutes long instead of the standard three minutes you see in a professional bout.

For the fight, there will be the usual three judges at ringside who will score each round in the event of there not being a knockout, which are sanctioned. No head guards will be allowed, either.

Jake Paul thinks he can beat Iron Mike (Cooper Neill/Getty Images for Netflix)
Jake Paul thinks he can beat Iron Mike (Cooper Neill/Getty Images for Netflix)

Rules split fans

Some fans aren’t too happy with the specific rules, with one saying: “14-ounce gloves? So they’re just basically having a pillow fight?”

A second said: “No head gear? At almost 60, Mike Tyson cannot take a shot to the head. That’s a tough one.”

And a third wrote: “14 oz is heavier than amateurs. 10 or 12 oz would’ve been great.”

But another wrote: “The two minute rule is HUGE.

At Tyson’s age, a two minute sprint, one minute recovery is much easier than three on, one off.”

Another posted: “Mike Tyson will either be knocked down quickly or they will go the distance.”

Pressures have mounted in the week before the fight (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
Pressures have mounted in the week before the fight (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)

How to watch Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson

You will need to have a valid Netflix subscription to watch the fight. And that’s it.

It means you can watch it via the app on your phone, gaming console, smart TV, or other device.

The standard plan with adverts costs £4.99 or $6.99 a month with other packages coming in at £10.99 or $15.49 a month and £17.99 or $22.99 a month, respectively.