Why Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul bets have been banned in seven US states ahead of boxing showdown

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul are set to collide in one of the most unusual boxing matchups of all time on Friday night - with seven American states refusing to take bets on the controversial Netflix event.

Tyson, 58, is making an astonishing return to the sport to face 27-year-old Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer who has brutally knocked out his previous three opponents.

Given his age and the fact he has not fought competitively since 2005, many have expressed concern over 'Iron' Mike stepping back into the ring with an opponent 31 years his junior - especially after an initial July date was scrapped when he suffered a medical emergency on a cross-country flight.

Though while the fight will be professionally sanctioned, the former undisputed heavyweight champion is taking on Paul in eight two-minute rounds as opposed to the regular three-minute versions. The pair will also be wearing 14oz gloves rather than the usual 10oz numbers worn by heavyweights.

And according to ESPN, seven out of the 38 American states where sports wagering is legalized have banned gambling on the fight for that very reason.

New York, Pennsylvania and Colorado are said to be among the states not taking bets on Tyson vs Paul on Friday night, with the New York State Gaming Commission it is not eligible for wagering because of the 'non-traditional rules'.

Colorado and Pennsylvania gambling chiefs coincided with that view, while the former cited not all fighters being professionally ranked as another reason why. 

Pennsylvania also justified their decision to ban gambling on the fight by pointing to the shorter number of rounds. 

'Given the totality of factors, the decision was made in the best interest of the betting public not to permit wagering in Pennsylvania,' a source is quoted as saying.

Among the 31 states that are offering bets on the contest, some have been left concerned about the potential ramifications if both men appear to treat it as more of an exhibition-style event than a competitive fight.

However, a spokesperson for Nevada said Tyson vs Paul passed the 'three-prong test we give to casinos as guidance when they ask if they can take wagers on a sporting event' given it is being sanctioned as a professional bout.

Friday night's event is expected to draw record betting numbers in the 31 states where it has not been banned. 

Huge money is already said to be pouring in on Tyson to win it, with the boxing legend around a +170 underdog with bookmakers heading into his eagerly-awaited return.

'We expect the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight to be the most bet on boxing match in BetMGM history,' BetMGM senior trader Alex Rella said, via the New York Post.

'Bettors want to see Paul get knocked out and love Tyson as an underdog.' Rella added. 'The book will be rooting for Paul to win.'