ONE cannot help but wonder how the Nov. 16 (Manila time) fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul ended up being sanctioned as an official contest.For one, the fight will not follow pro boxing's traditional rules.The rounds in the fight will be for only two minutes instead of the usual three minutes.Tyson and Paul will also wear bigger, 14-ounce gloves instead of the 10-ounce gloves that are used by pro boxers weighing 147 pounds and more.The extra padding will soften the blows.Oh, there is also the age of Tyson.Once considered the 'baddest man on the planet,' Tyson is already 58 years old and last fought in June 2005 when he was stopped by Kevin McBride. Tyson will be squaring off against a 27-year-old foe in Paul.Boxing commissions in the United States only permit three-minute rounds and 10-ounce gloves for male boxers fighting in the welterweight (147 pounds) division or higher.In Texas, where the fight will be held, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) surprisingly sanctioned Tyson-Paul as a legitimate, eight-round contest. It will mark the first time in Texas that an official fight involving heavyweights will be fought under such conditions.Word is that TDLR approved the fight because the changes in the rules supposedly reduced the risks of serious injuries for both fighters.The two-minute rounds will definitely favor the older Tyson. Tyson (50-6, 44 knockouts) claimed shortening the duration of the round will provide for more action. Let us be honest here: Tyson no longer has the stamina to stick to the usual three-minute rounds.In fact, there are serious concerns over the health of Tyson.While the former champ has looked good in sparring sessions, these sessions are deceiving and are only meant to make Tyson look good before the cameras.One must remember how Tyson faded badly against the journeyman McBride in 2005. He actually quit in that fight.If Tyson faded 19 years ago, imagine his condition now that he is already 58 years old.Tyson-Paul was originally scheduled to take place on July 20 but it was moved to November because Tyson faced a health issue (allegedly an 'ulcer' flareup) in May.As of this writing, fans are keeping their fingers crossed amid reports that the fight could still be canceled at the last minute. Tyson has been seen training with a knee support, causing fans to wonder if he is physically fit to step into the ring with Paul.Some fight fans still believe Tyson has the punching power to tame Paul. However, the use of bigger gloves is expected to cushion the impact of Tyson's blows. This is welcome relief for Paul (10-1, 7 knockouts) given Tyson's reputation as a heavy puncher.Paul's punches also carry some pop and Tyson thus stands to also benefit from the use of bigger gloves.The fight is taking place because organizers expect it to generate a whole lot of money.The purses of the fighters have not been disclosed although there are loose whispers that Tyson figures to bankroll around $20 million.Tyson earned over $400 million during his heyday but lost it all due to his wild ways. While he is no longer as rich as he was before, Tyson's involvement in the cannabis business has allowed him to get back on his feet financially. The former champ is earning good money these days, but the huge payday against Paul is clearly so tempting it convinced him to lace on the gloves again.Experts are split on the fight when asked to predict the winner.Some believe Tyson can pull it off, particularly if he comes out blazing in the early rounds. Former champ Roy Jones Jr., who figured in a lackluster exhibition bout with Tyson in November 2020, swears that Iron Mike's punch can still crack a skull.Then again, there are fans who also think Paul will stop Tyson if he survives the latter's early round assaults. The longer the fight goes, the better for Paul. The thought of Tyson quitting halfway cannot be discounted.In the end, the result does not really matter. Tyson has nothing more to prove as a fighter. A win by Paul will also not mean anything as everybody knows a prime Tyson would have beaten him to a pulp.The changes in the rules have made the fight a farce. It should really be looked upon for what it really is — just pure entertainment.
