Mike Tyson and Jake Paul will be suspended regardless of fight result

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul will both be handed suspensions after tonight's fight.

Tyson will return to the ring at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas for his first fight since his exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr four years ago - and his first professional fight since he quit on his stool after five rounds against Kevin McBride. According to Paul, it was his 58-year-old rival who pushed for the fight to be sanctioned as a professional contest.

And that means both men will be ordered to rest by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the body overseeing tonight's contest. Regardless of the result, both Paul and Tyson will be ordered to rest for a minimum of seven days. The regulations state each fighter will be told to rest for three days for every round fought; meaning a maximum of 24 days given Paul and Tyson will meet over eight sessions.

Both fighters will be assessed after the bout and if either fighter loses by technical knockout, they will be suspended for a minimum of 30 days. Should the fight end in knockout, the beaten fighter will be told he must rest for at least 60 days. Of course, neither Tyson nor Paul would be expected to fight within two months of tonight's bout ending.

And either man could appeal any suspension, with the regulations stating: "Medical disqualification of a contestant is for their own safety and may be made at the recommendation of the examining physician or TDLR. A contestant who disagrees with a medical disqualification, medical suspension or rest period set at the discretion of a ringside physician or a disqualification or suspension set by the department may request a hearing to show proof of fitness."

The TDLR could choose to look into last night's incident during Tyson's face-off with Paul when the veteran slapped the YouTuber across his face. Tyson and Paul had stood on the scales individually during the ceremonial weigh-ins before coming together to face off. But Paul appeared to tread on Tyson's foot, leading the former champion to smack his opponent.

Security raced in to quell the situation with Tyson ultimately walking off stage. Paul insisted he barely felt the slap, saying: "I didn't even feel it, he's angry. He's an angry little elf.“, I thought that was a cute slap, buddy, but tomorrow you’re getting knocked the f*** out. I’m f***ing him up, Ariel, I'm f***ing him up. He hits like a b****… It’s personal now, it's personal now. He must die!"

It is likely the incident will be allowed to slide, however, with Tyson producing a viral moment on the eve of the fight which can only increase the interest in what is already an intriguing contest.