With many questioning whether the bout will actually be a fight, the former heavyweight champion has insisted that the stakes will be very real. Really?

When news of the bout was first announced, many celebrated what they hoped would be an opportunity to see the former YouTube star get his clock cleaned. Faced with arguably the most dangerous fighter in boxing history, surely there could be no other outcome. Yet, as details of the rules began to emerge, it started to look more like a dance rehearsal than a boxing match. Now, the former heavyweight world champion says that’s not the case.

Mike Tyson insists the Jake Paul fight is the real deal

While the banter ahead of a boxing match is always laden with barbs and threats, one does get the feeling that ahead of Mike Tyson’s July 20th fight with Jake Paul, there is a certain element of justification mixed in with the normal chatter. Indeed, many have called the rules of the fight farcical as they appeared to significantly protect Paul. Interestingly, Tyson has now insisted that while the bout won’t be considered official – it’s an exhibition match – it will not have the restrictions that such matches normally do.

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Speaking earlier this week, the fight legend spoke to the idea that he is taking Paul seriously though he believes he will be victorious. “This is called an exhibition, but if you look up exhibition, you will not see any of the laws that we’re fighting under. This is a fight. I don’t think he’s faster than me. I’ve seen a YouTube of him at 16 doing weird dances. That’s not the guy I’m going to be fighting. This guy is going to come, he’s going to try to hurt me, which I’m accustomed to. He’s going to be greatly mistaken.”

So, what can we expect from Tyson vs Paul?

That’s a good question. For the moment, what we know is that Netflix is set to livestream the event from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Aside from that and a reported $20 million payday for Mike Tyson, not much else is known, including what Jake Paul himself is set to earn. It’s worth noting that according to reports, the promoters of the fight have not provided any details to the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation which could also be why information is scarce.

On July 20, Tyson will come out of retirement and take on Paul at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

When confirming the fight, Paul wrote on social media: “Whether you’re tuning in on Netflix or showing out in person, whether you’re team Paul or team Tyson, or whether you’re a lifelong boxing fan or watching your first fight, you’re not going to want to miss this event.

“I could not be more excited to make this amazing fight available to all Netflix subscribers alongside the hardest hitter of all time, Mike Tyson, on Saturday, July 20th.

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“My sights are set on becoming a world champion, and now I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion of the world, the baddest man on the planet and the most dangerous boxer of all time. Time to put Iron Mike to sleep.”

Ahead of the bout, Tyson confirmed the rules of the fight during an interview with Fox News.

The 57-year-old said: “This is called an exhibition, but if you look up exhibition, you will not see any of the laws that we are fighting under, this is a fight.

“I don’t think he’s faster than me. I’ve seen a YouTube of him at 16 doing weird dances, that’s not the guy I’m going to be fighting.”

When asked if he wants to teach Paul a lesson, Tyson said: “I will do just that but dislike him? No, I don’t have a grudge against him. He’s beautiful.”

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Reacting on social media, one fan said: “Why did blud randomly call him “beautiful” at the end…”

Another tweeted: “He thinks that he’s beautiful.”

A third fan added: “Hahaha why is he randomly calling Jake beautiful at the end.”

Speaking about Paul, he added: “This guy’s gonna come, he’s gonna try and hurt me which I’m accustomed to and he’s gonna be greatly mistaken.

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“Right now, I’m scared to death but as the fight gets closer, the less nervous I become because it’s reality, and in reality, I’m invincible.”

Mike Tyson is set to make his boxing return on July 20 when he takes on Jake Paul, but the former heavyweight champion has been warned he shouldn’t be fighting at his age

Mike Tyson has been warned to stay away from the boxing ring ahead of his fight against Jake Paul.

Tyson is set to return to boxing on July 20 when he takes on social media star Jake Paul at the massive AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. Both Paul and Tyson want their fight to be recognised as a professional bout, but that decision will be made by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations.

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There is a huge 30-year age gap between Paul and Tyson, who will be 58 on the night of the fight. Many boxing fans are worried for ‘Iron Mike’ after several of his recent training videos went viral.

Irish boxing legend Barry McGuigan is among those who have criticised the fight, saying Tyson shouldn’t be taking hits to the head at his age. “You can be sure money’s got something to do with it,” McGuigan told The Sun (via the Mirror.)

“The governing body should be seriously badly reprimanded for that, getting a 57-year-old guy in to box. That’s just really stupid and irresponsible. He shouldn’t be near a boxing ring at 57 years old. It’s just very irresponsible. It’s very dangerous.

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“The problem with so many of these influencers boxing is that the general public think anybody can do it. They can’t. That’s what annoys the professional fighters about these influencers.”

Shane McGuigan, son of Barry and coach to Adam Azim and Daniel Dubois, also criticised Paul for fighting Tyson well past his prime. He said: “They’re trying to steal headlines in the sense, ‘OK, let’s bring in Mike Tyson’ because he’s done it all. It just discredits what he’s done in his career.

“He’s the face of boxing. Jake Paul’s not going to put on his YouTube channel when he spars bad or when he feels c**p and he’s upset and he’s crying or he’s frustrated.

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“He’s only putting on the good days. Kids just wanna see glitz and glamour and gossip. This sport’s a real hard sport and you can’t fake it, you can’t just suddenly get to a world title. You can’t just turn up one day without any training. You’ve got to put the hours and work in and it’s brutal.”