Jake Paul and Mike Tyson have been escalating their feud with a war of words and fierce training videos directed at each other in recent weeks.
With the fight recently sanctioned, Paul suggested he has something bigger to achieve when he steps into the ring on July 20.
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Jake Paul before the F1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix on May 5, 2024, at the Miami International Autodrome in Florida. (Rich Graessle/Icon)
“I love Mike. I'm very respectful of him. It's an honor to be in the ring with him. But I have to finish him off,” Paul told USA Today at the Miami Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday.
“It's war. All's fair in love and war. I love the guy, but as soon as it turns into a professional fight, one of us has to die,” the YouTube star-turned-boxer added.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation approved the rules for the fight last week. It was sanctioned like a professional boxing match, meaning the rounds will be shorter and the gloves will be heavier.
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Jake Paul speaks to the media after knocking out Andre August in the first round at Caribe Royale Orlando on December 15, 2023 in Florida. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA Today Sports)
“This will be a professional fight with a referee and judges and the results will count as part of the fighters' professional records. So, it is a real competitive fight,” an agency spokesperson told The Associated Press.
Paul last fought Ryan Bourland in Puerto Rico and won by technical knockout. He is 9-1 in his professional boxing career and his only blemish was against Tommy Fury via split decision.
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Roy Jones Jr., left, and Mike Tyson celebrate their split draw at Staples Center on Nov. 28, 2020 in Los Angeles. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Triller)
Tyson is 50-6 in his professional career. His last professional fight, which he lost, was against Kevin McBride. Tyson had an exhibition fight against Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020. Paul fought Nate Robinson on that card.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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