Jake Paul has announced his plan to increase his weight to 240 pounds before trimming down to fight boxing legend Mike Tyson. The highly anticipated match, set for July 20 in Texas, marks Netflix’s inaugural venture into live boxing broadcasts and represents Paul’s debut in the heavyweight category.

Formerly trained by Shane Mosley, Paul is currently tipping the scales at 230 pounds, significantly heavier than his usual weight class. In a recent episode of his podcast, Paul discussed his unusual strategy, expressing both surprise and satisfaction with his body’s ability to adapt to the new weight. “Normally I’m fighting at 200 and walking around at 210. It’s weird to me that I’m weighing 230,” Paul shared. He also hinted at the possibility of gaining up to 240 pounds during his training period, only to drop to 220 pounds to enhance his agility and speed.

The strategy involves Paul training at a heavier weight throughout his camp, simulating a condition akin to wearing a 20-pound weight vest, which he believes will strengthen his muscles and increase his speed when he drops the extra weight. “So my muscles are going to be so much stronger and that speed will come through,” Paul explained.

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This approach is a stark contrast from his lightest fighting weight of 183.6 pounds and significantly heavier than his last two fights at the 200-pound cruiserweight limit. It also marks a four-stone increase from the weight at which he faced Tommy Fury last year.

Interestingly, Anthony Joshua also weighed 240 pounds during his fights against Oleksandr Usyk but opted to increase his weight further in subsequent bouts, reflecting a similar strategy in the heavyweight division.

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However, at 6 feet 1 inch, Paul’s projected fighting weight categorizes him as obese according to the NHS BMI standards. Despite this, Paul appears to relish the increased caloric intake, noting its benefits for his recovery. His upcoming camp will adapt to his new weight class, involving fewer but more intense sparring sessions with heavyweight fighters due to the increased physicality of their punches.

Jake Paul’s foray into heavyweight boxing against Mike Tyson is not only a significant step for his career but also a notable experiment in athletic conditioning and preparation, spotlighting the intricate balance between weight, strength, and speed in professional boxing.