Mike Tyson reveals main reason for changed rules in Jake Paul fight

Mike Tyson has revealed why he and Jake Paul will face off in unconventional two-minute rounds.

The heavyweight clash is sanctioned as a professional bout under the auspices of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), although they will compete under a modified set of rules.

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Paul and Tyson will box over eight two-minute rounds, rather than the traditional three minutes, and will compete with 14oz gloves instead of the 10z ones usually worn by professional boxers.

It’s not yet clear why the weight of the mitts was adjusted, but according to Tyson, the length of the rounds was changed at his request.

When asked why he wanted to reduce round length at the kickoff 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 face off at 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 prime at 27 years old.

The staggering 31-year age gap is the largest in professional boxing fighting history.

That surpasses the 24-year gap between Archie Moore, 49, and Mike DiBiase, 25, when they met on March 15, 1963, in the swan song bout of “The Old Mongoose.”

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Moore, who has the distinction of being the longest-reigning light heavyweight champion of the world of all time, overcame the cards stacked against him to stop DiBiase in the third round.

Tyson will hope to do the same when he steps into the ring against Paul, although the former undisputed heavyweight champion presents himself as a moderate underdog to the bookmakers.

The fight received considerable backlash from fans and experts, who believe Tyson should no longer box in the paid ranks, especially against a man much younger than him.

Queensberry Boxing promoter Frank Warren called the decision to sanction the fight “ridiculous”.

Meanwhile, his promotional rival Eddie Hearn was left “very sad” by the announcement.

But Tyson doesn’t seem particularly worried.

Responding to criticism, he said: “Those who said this shouldn’t happen wish they were here. Because no one else can do it.

“Who else can do this? Who else can shut down the sports world, no one else can do it. So you have both of us.

“We are friends, but in this ring we will not be.”

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