Mike Tyson and Jake Paul will clash in one of the most unusual boxing showdowns of all time on Friday night, with seven US states refusing to accept bets on the controversial Netflix event.
Tyson, 58, is making a stunning return to the sport to take on Paul, 27, the YouTuber-turned-boxer who brutally knocked out his three previous opponents.
Given his age and the fact that he hasn’t fought competitively since 2005, many have expressed concern about ‘Iron’ Mike returning to the ring with an opponent 31 years his junior, especially after an initial date in July was canceled when suffered a medical emergency. on a cross-country flight.
Although the fight will be professionally sanctioned, the former undisputed heavyweight champion will face Paul over eight two-minute rounds instead of the usual three-minute versions. The pair will also wear 14-ounce gloves instead of the usual 10-ounce ones used by heavyweights.
And according to ESPNSeven of the 38 American states where sports betting is legalized have banned betting on the fight for that very reason.
Betting between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul has been officially banned in seven US states
New York, Pennsylvania and Colorado are said to be among the states not accepting bets on Tyson vs Paul on Friday night, with the New York State Gaming Commission ineligible for betting due to “non-traditional rules “.
Game bosses from Colorado and Pennsylvania agreed with that sentiment, while the former cited not all wrestlers being professionally ranked as another reason.
Pennsylvania also justified its decision to ban gambling on the fight by pointing to the smaller number of rounds.
“Taking the totality of factors into account, the decision was made to not allow betting in Pennsylvania, for the benefit of the betting public,” a source said.
Among the 31 states that offer betting on the contest, some have expressed concern about the potential ramifications if both men appear to treat it more as an exhibition event than a competitive fight.
However, a Nevada spokesperson said Tyson vs. Paul passed the “triple test we give casinos as a guide when they ask if they can accept bets on a sporting event” given that it is being sanctioned as a professional fight.
Tyson will fight Paul in eight two-minute rounds and with heavier gloves on Friday night.
Friday night’s event is expected to draw record betting numbers in the 31 states where it has not been banned.
There is already word that big money is being invested in Tyson to win it, with the boxing legend around a +170 underdog and bookmakers heading for his long-awaited return.
“We expect the fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson to be the highest-bet boxing match in BetMGM history,” BetMGM senior trader Alex Rella said via New York Post.
“Bettors want to see Paul get knocked out and love Tyson like he’s the loser.” Rella added. “The book will encourage Paul to win.”