- Mike Tyson, 57, takes on Jake Paul, 27, in Netflix's first live boxing event
- Tyson hasn't been in the ring since an exhibition fight with Roy Jones Jr. in 2020.
- DailyMail.com brings you all the latest international sports news
Mike Tyson revealed the reason for the shortened rounds in his July 20th fight against Jake Paul.
At Tyson's request, the sanctioned fight will feature eight two-minute rounds, unlike the traditional three-minute rounds in professional boxing matches.
At a press conference to promote the fight, which will be broadcast on Netflix, the 57-year-old Tyson explained why he asked for the rounds to be two-thirds the normal length.
“I wanted more action, so I wanted shorter rounds,” Tyson said. “If I only have two minutes left, I'll fight harder.”
As the boxing legend prepares to face an influencer-turned-boxer 30 years his junior, many still have doubts about the fight. But Tyson has shared a clip of himself in the build-up, giving a glimpse of his past self.
Tyson called for regulations to encourage action in the ring, claiming his killer instinct was beyond his years.
“Once he gets in that ring, he has to fight like his life depends on it, because it is,” he added.
Tyson held a professional record of 50 wins, 6 losses, and 44 knockouts before retiring in 2005. Iron Mike returned to the ring in 2020 for an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr., during which Paul KOed former NBA star Nate Robinson in the co-main event.
With a showdown between the two confirmed, Tyson becomes the biggest name on Paul's list of high-profile opponents. Paul was known for bringing retired athletes into the boxing ring to compete against each other, and this was a knock on him for most of his career.
Paul has competed against Robinson, Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz, all of which he has won. His only loss was against Tommy Fury in 2023.
The troublemaker currently has a boxing record of 9 wins and 1 loss, with three consecutive wins, the last two being finishes. Paul enters the fight fresh off a first-round knockout win over Ryan Bolland on March 2nd.
