Debunked: Is the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight actually fixed?!
Some think the winner has already been chosen
Jake Paul and Mike Tyson are finally set to battle it out tonight at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and it’s bound to be an exciting fight.
The influencer is positioned as the favourite when it comes to the bookies, but it’s looking pretty 50/50 right now when it comes to public opinion.
Some have their odds on Paul to win, while others argue you shouldn’t underestimate the professional boxer who isn’t past his prime.
Many are also convinced that the fight is scripted and the winner has already been chosen. Wait, is that actually true?!
Is the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight actually fixed?!
No, the fight isn’t staged.
Nakisa Bidarian, who owns the company hosting the fight, Most Valuable Promotions, said it would be a “federal crime” to fix the result and assured fans they would never do it.
“These are pro-fights that consumers are making legal bets on. I don’t think the critic who says these are not real fights thinks about [how] there would be jail time if we actually did this type of stuff,” he told ESPN.
“We have never, and we will never, do anything that’s other than above board and 100 percent a pro fight unless we come out clearly and say, ‘Hey, this is an exhibition fight that is a show’.”
Forget the rumours Tyson isn’t allowed to hurt Paul
There are also rumours floating around that Tyson isn’t allowed to hurt Paul, but there’s no evidence of that.
It was British former professional boxer Carl Froch who told Casino.org: “I’ve heard and believe that there is something in the contract which means Tyson can’t even try and hurt him.”
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“I’m sure if Tyson did land a big left or right hook on the chin of Jake Paul then he could render him unconscious … I can’t really see that happening, though.”
Tyson’s former coach Teddy Atlas also shared his doubts with The Sun, saying: “My only question … is it real?”
“Maybe it is, I would hope it is… But is there going to be an honest effort to do what is always looking to be done, to go and destroy that guy, to knock him out?”
There are some weird rules in place for the fight
It’s not fixed, but the fight does have some interesting rules in place which will make it different from your average boxing match.
For a start, each round will last for two minutes rather than the usual three and the pair will only fight for eight rounds instead 12.
On top of that, both boxers will wear heavier 14oz gloves instead of the standard 10oz gloves to slow their hands down.
All of these extra rules are designed to reduce the likelihood of serious injury and make the fight safer for both opponents.
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Watch the fight on Netflix from 1am GMT on Saturday 16 November.
Featured image by: Ed Mulholland/INPHO/Shutterstock