Jake Paul will try and make a statement against Mike Tyson but the newly-announced fight rules will favour the more experienced star, reckons Olympic silver medalist Ben Whittaker.
It was confirmed on Monday that the bout between the American duo in Texas on July 20 will be given professional status.
Tyson, who will be 58 at the time of the fight, will step into the ring and box professionally for the first time since 2005.
Former YouTube star Paul is over 30 years younger than his opponent and has won nine of his 10 career fights.
Jake Paul has been warned that the fight rules will favour Mike Tyson
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Paul confirmed on X on Monday that the clash would be professional after demands from both sides.
He wrote: “Mike Tyson wanted it to be a pro fight. Netflix wanted it to be a pro fight. So I agreed to make it a pro fight. Winner takes all.”
Rules were also announced, with eight two-minute rounds instead of three-minute rounds.
Knockouts will be allowed, while 14oz gloves will be used instead of the usual 10oz.
Concerns have been raised about Tyson’s safety due to the vast age difference between the pair.
But Whittaker believes the shortened length of the rounds will work to the former heavyweight champion’s advantage.
The 26-year-old says that could stop Paul in his tracks from putting on a ‘statement’ performance.
Whittaker told Mirror Fighting: “Even if [Tyson] does get tired the round is done before he knows it.
“Jake is going to come out to make a statement, if he can bang out Tyson no matter what age he is, he will be buzzing.
“It’s one of those things that when you’re a fighter, it’s probably hard to get out of that cycle.
“It’s Tyson’s way of keeping himself in that routine and I can understand it because when you’ve had breaks you want to fight.
“He’s had a great legacy and you don’t want a YouTuber to do what he might do, which he could because he’s in shape and he’s active.
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Mike Tyson will fight professionally for the first time since 2005 against Jake Paul
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“As long as Tyson is happy and is making money, that’s it. He didn’t get forced to sign it, so he signed it for a reason.”
Meanwhile, promoter Frank Warren has joined the critics of making the fight professional.
He claims it is ‘ridiculous’ that Tyson is allowed to fight at his age.
Warren told talkSPORT: “I’m a big fan of Jake Paul as a promoter and his business partner Nakissa [Bidarian].
Jake Paul has won nine of his 10 professional career fights
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“They’re very smart operators and they obviously see this fight will generate public interest and obviously money.
“But let’s get it right, Mike Tyson [will be] 58 years of age and he shouldn’t be fighting. It’s as simple as that.
“If it was an exhibition, you’d get half away with that, but the fact that Texas has licenced the 58-year-old to fight…
“What does anybody need to say about that? Anyone with an ounce of brains knows that it is ridiculous…”
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