The decision to sanction Mike Tyson's fight against Jake Paul in Texas in July has led to further concern for the boxing legend's health.
The bout, which will be broadcasted exclusively on Netflix, has been sanctioned as a competitive boxing match rather than an exhibition bout, and the rounds will be shorter and the gloves will be heavier.
A statement from Paul's manager Nikisa Bidarian read: "Mike Tyson and Jake Paul signed on to fight each other with the desire to do so in a sanctioned professional fight that would have a definitive outcome.
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"Over the past six weeks, MVP has worked with its partners to satisfy the requirements of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR) to sanction Paul vs. Tyson. We are grateful that we have gotten to this point."
The bout between the 27-year-old Paul, a social media star-turned-boxer, and 57-year-old Tyson, who hasn't fought since an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020, has understandably raised eyebrows in the combat sports world.
On a recent edition of his podcast before the fight was deemed professional, UFC commentator Joe Rogan raised the possibility that Tyson could potentially die in the clash with a fighter 30-years his junior.
"It's not necessarily carved in stone yet, they might not approve it," he said.
"If a lot of people protest, they won't approve it. The thing is, if Tyson dies. See if you have something like that (happen)."
Although, he did say if the former heavyweight champion can harness a percentage of the power from his youth, Paul may be in trouble.
"If he's physically capable of recapturing 70 per cent of what he used to do. Just dealing with that 90 per cent of the power (will be a problem for Paul)," Rogan predicted.
"Seventy per cent of the physical ability and 90 per cent of the power. The power is not gone, you see it when he hits the bag. The power is there 100 per cent.
"But he's had a bunch of back issues, he had a real bad sciatica and he was walking with a cane. Who knows what they've done (with stem cells). I'm sure he's with the right people.
"Even at 57, you can make a lot of money if Mike Tyson is fit and in shape. Which is so crazy to say."
A Department of licensing and Regulation spokesperson said in an email to The Associated Press that "this will be a professional bout with a referee and judges and the results will count as part of the fighters' professional records. So — it's an actual competitive fight."
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The fight is scheduled for eight two-minute rounds, despite most men's pro fights contested under three-minute rounds.
Paul and Tyson will wear weighing 14 ounces (0.37kg) instead of the standard pro weight of 10 ounces, with heavier gloves reducing the power of punches.
In approving terms for fights, the department's combative sports staff considers, among other factors, each contestant's age, medical tests, win-loss record and losses by knockout or technical knockout.
Paul built a following on YouTube before he embarked on a boxing career four years ago, while his brother Logan has also competed in boxing and professional wrestling.
He has won nine of 10 fights with six knockouts against mostly undistinguished opponents, including several mixed martial artists and a fellow YouTuber.
Tyson was the undisputed world heavyweight champion from 1987-90. He retired in 2005 after winning 50 fights, 44 by knockout.
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