The term “suspension” in sports typically comes with a negative connotation. Usually, an illegal act during a play that is so bad it could result in a league handing out a punishment. In other circumstances, issues outside of action, such as legal trouble, could result in a suspension.
In boxing, it’s completely different. Suspensions happen literally all the time, and that’s not different for fighters like Jake Paul.
The 27-year-old improved to 11-1 in his boxing career by besting 58-year-old, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Friday. Paul won the eight-round bout by unanimous decision in Netflix’s first-ever live boxing match.
Now, Paul is forced to sit out for a specific period of time. Here’s the reason why the boxer is suspended.
MORE: How many people watched Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson?
Why is Jake Paul suspended?
Paul has been suspended 24 days as a result of his fight against Tyson.
Regardless of the result of the fight, both Paul and “Iron Mike” were going to be issued suspensions. That’s part of the game when you’re involved in combat sports.
Since the Tyson-Paul clash was sanctioned as a professional bout by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, both fighters must follow the mandatory requirements set by the organization.
According to the regulations set by Texas, both Tyson and Paul must undergo a mandatory three-day rest for every round they fought. The fight went the full eight rounds, so the pair must rest for 24 days.
Mandatory rest in boxing, explained
Mandatory rest in boxing is a regular occurrence for professional bouts. It varies depending on what commission is sanctioning the event, but all have some sort of guideline set for mandatory rest following a fight.
This is for the health of the fighters involved. Since both are taking blows to the head, arms and body, these regulations are put in place to prohibit excessive damage from occurring, which could lead to health issues.
In the case of Paul vs Tyson, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation requires three days of rest for each round. If the fight ended in the first two rounds, the two would still be forced to rest for seven days.
“Mandatory rest — all contestants shall receive a mandatory rest period of calculated as three days of rest for each round fought with no less than a seven-day mandatory rest period,” the regulation stated.
In addition, commissions also will undergo “post-fight examination” to determine if additional medical suspensions or disqualifications are needed. According to the regulations set in Texas, “medical suspension will be based upon the physician’s recommendation.”
Since neither were knocked out, a medical disqualification won’t be necessary.
MORE PAUL VS. TYSON COVERAGE:
Is Mike Tyson suspended?
Tyson is also suspended as a result of his fight against Paul.
Like his younger counterpart, he is required to rest for 24 days after the fight.
When can Jake Paul and Mike Tyson fight again?
The earliest Paul and Tyson could step into the ring is 24 days after their bout on Nov. 15. That means that the two technically could book another fight as soon as Tuesday, Dec. 9.
However, neither boxer has a fight lined up. Considering how much goes into putting together a boxing match, neither are expected to step into the ring for a few months.
It’s likely that if Paul fights again, it comes sometime in either the spring or summer of 2025. He does not have his next opponent lined up, but once one is solidified, there is plenty of other planning needed, including a venue, date, and purses to figure out.
For Tyson, it’s highly unlikely the 58-year-old ever steps into the ring again for a professional bout. There are strong arguments to be made that he never should have been fighting Friday in Dallas in the first place, but now, he has even less reason to fight ever again after his lucrative payday.
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