When the dust settles following the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson showdown, which takes place at AT&T Stadium on November 15, the pair will share tens of millions of dollars for taking part in a fully sanctioned sports event.
But while this heavyweight hype machine is listed as a professional boxing match, not everyone is buying it.
Former three-time super middleweight champion Carl Froch, A.K.A. The Cobra is just one of those who have questioned the event.
Froch, who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame last year, is one of Paul’s biggest critics and has openly lambasted the Tyson match-up, voicing his concern for the former undisputed champion, who turned 58 in May.
He's even gone as far as to suggest that the event may have contract clauses attached to it, which would mean the outcome could be decided by something other than sporting chance.
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Is Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson scripted?
Froch is not the only one who has asked that question.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has sanctioned the bout as a professional contest, not an exhibition. The TDLR is the regulator for all combat sports that take place within the state of Texas, and that’s all the authority this event needs.
But that has not stopped some commentators and fans from asking whether the way it unfolds could be, at least in part, pre-determined.
Froch has gone as far as to suggest there could even be clauses in the contracts of the fighters that limit what they can and can't do.
"If something goes wrong with Mike Tyson getting badly hurt, ultimately Jake Paul is the one who’s 30 years younger than him," Froch told Metro via Casino.org "They keep talking about this being sanctioned as a professional boxing match, but it’s not professional boxing.
"Ultimately it’s an old man against a young man, it’s not fair," stated Froch. "It’s happening because it’s a money-spinner and, from that point of view, I admire it. Jake Paul is, if nothing else, a money machine. He’s got his demographic, his audience of teenagers.
"I’ve heard and believe that there is something in the contract which means Tyson can’t even try and hurt him."
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Froch didn’t divulge a source for his information but he’s not the only boxing insider to cast doubt on the fight’s legitimacy.
"I believe it’s scripted," said trainer and manager Tunde Ajaye in an interview with TalkSport Boxing.
Beyond such speculation and opinion, there is no actual evidence to suggest that either man is correct.
Paul and Tyson have previously both vigorously denied that the event is scripted, with Paul saying back in August at a press call for the original fight, which was rescheduled when Tyson fell ill: "A lot of people are doubting me, a lot of people are saying if Jake wins then the fight is rigged because of how great he looks.
"Age is just a number, he's a killer and he's a warrior. He's been doing this his whole entire life so it's second nature to him. I've been doing it for four years and I've been doing it at a super-high level but I'm going to prove I can out-box Mike Tyson. I'll be the one doing the killing."
What is undeniable is that the heavyweight contest does have some characteristics of an exhibition bout.
How many rounds is Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson?
Outside of the unlikely pairing, several factors make it somewhat of an oddity as a professional contest.
For a start, Paul vs. Tyson will be fought over eight two-minute rounds, rather than 10 three-minute periods. That is shorter than the standard usually used for male boxing.
Both men will also adorn 14 oz gloves instead of the usual 10 oz.
Then there is the fact that Tyson is more than double 27-year-old Paul's age. At 58, many commentators, including Froch, have expressed concern for the veteran's wellbeing by taking the fight on.
"I don’t think it should be happening because Tyson is too old," he added. "I don’t think it proves anything when Jake Paul beats him."
