Frank Warren believes the decision to sanction Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson as a pro fight is ‘ridiculous’.

The pair are set to square off on July 20 in Texas in what was initially expected to be an exhibition bout.

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Paul is 31 years Tyson’s junior yet they will be squaring off this summer in a sanctioned fightCredit: Jake Paul – Instagram
However, on Monday, Paul’s promotional company, Most Valuable Promotions, confirmed that his fight with Tyson will be sanctioned as a professional fight under the auspices of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations.

The heavyweight showdown will be contested over eight, two-minute rounds with each fighter using 14-ounce gloves, but no headgear.

Knockouts are allowed and the result will go on both of their professional records.

The news was met with widespread outrage from members of the boxing fraternity and Queensberry chief Frank Warren is equally as appalled.

Speaking to talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan and Jim White on Tuesday afternoon, he said: “I’m a big fan of Jake Paul as a promoter and his business partner Nakissa [Bidarian].

“They’re very smart operators and they obviously see this is fight will generate public interest and money.

“But let’s get it right, Mike Tyson is 58 years of age and he shouldn’t be fighting. It’s as simple as that.

“If it was an exhibition, you’d get half away with that, but the fact that Texas have licenced the 58-year-old to fight.

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Warren told talkSPORT that he is outraged at Tyson vs Paul being sanctioned as a pro boutCredit: talkSPORT
“What does anybody need to say about that? Anyone with an ounce of brains knows that it is ridiculous…

“Let’s get it right, you can be on a motorway stuck in a traffic jam and you get to the end of it and all it is is people who have stopped to look at a crash and that’s what this is.”

By the time Tyson climbs between the ropes on fight night he will have just celebrated his 58th birthday while Paul is in his physical prime at 27.
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The last time Tyson boxed in a professional contest was all the way back in June 2005 when he retired on his stool at the end of the sixth round against regional-level pro Kevin McBride.

Meanwhile, Paul has been actively competing as a pro boxer and has fought ten times (9-1) in the paid ranks over the past four years.

Given his advanced age, Warren anticipates we will see ‘vintage Tyson’ for one round before he inevitably fades away.

He added: “What will happen for one round is you’re going to get vintage Mike Tyson, he’ll come out throwing bombs for one round and then it’ll be a 58-year-old guy in the ring with a younger fella.”