Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Betting Likely After Fight Secures Regulatory Oversight

Posted on: April 29, 2024, 02:33h. 

Last updated on: April 29, 2024, 06:10h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson is scheduled for July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tx., aka “Jerry World,” home of the NFL Dallas Cowboys.

Jake Paul Mike Tyson fight odds sanction
Jake Paul and Mike Tyson’s fight slated for July 20 streaming on Netflix will be sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The oversight is expected to result in legal oddsmakers being cleared by their state gaming regulators to take action on the fight. (Image: Netflix/Casino.org)

The much-hyped fight secured competitive oversight this week from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), a state agency that sanctions combative sports including professional boxing. Obtaining a boxing regulator means the fight will be scored by independent, non-biased judges and both Paul and Tyson will be subjected to a series of drug testing, as well as psychical and mental screenings before entering the ring.

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,” Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian said in a statement. “Over the past six weeks, MVP has worked with its partners to satisfy the requirements of the TDLR to sanction Paul vs. Tyson, and we are grateful that we have gotten to this point.”

The oversight is critical for bettors hoping to wager with a regulated U.S. sportsbook. State gaming regulators typically bar oddsmakers from offering wagers on exhibition fights not sanctioned by an experienced regulatory organization.   

Paul vs. Tyson airs exclusively on Netflix.

Terms Set 

There are plenty of skeptics of the Paul vs. Tyson showdown, with many calling it an easy money grab for the 27-year-old YouTube star turned professional boxer and 57-year-old boxing legend. Tyson hasn’t boxed in a professionally sanctioned fight since 2005. He will be 58 years old when he enters the ring against Paul in July.

However, with Texas officials set to regulate the fight, concerns about the outcome being rigged should be satisfied. Along with agreeing to a fair fight, the boxers have pledged to adhere to numerous standards, including competing with 14-ounce gloves and each round running two minutes. The fight will end after eight rounds should a knockout not occur.

Tyson’s professional boxing record is 50-6, with 44 knockouts. Paul’s boxing record is 9-1, with six knockouts, though most of his fights have been exhibition in nature.

The TDLR has numerous rules that boxers must abide by, including not hitting an opponent below the belt, refraining from deliberately targeting the kidney area, not using abusive or profane language, and obeying the referee at all times.

Kicking, purposely falling without being hit, and hitting an opponent while they’re down or getting up are also prohibited.

Public Backs Tyson 

Offshore sportsbooks, which are unregulated and illegal but face little recourse by federal authorities, have been taking bets on the July fight since it was announced last month. Paul opened as a big favorite at around -500, but heavy action on Tyson has greatly shrunk the line to nearly a coin toss.

The line continues to move as the betting public shows incredibly strong support for Tyson. Tyson has gone from a decided underdog when betting opened on March 7th to the slightest of underdogs at +105,” an offshore oddsmaker told Casino.org.

Oddsmakers say it will be nearly impossible for books to balance the action because “Tyson just has too much support” against the social media star whose rise to fame also came by way of a stint on the Disney Channel series “Bizaardvark.”