MIKE TYSON has finally revealed why he’s fighting Jake Paul – and it has nothing to do with the mega payday he’ll receive for the bout.
The boxing legend will lace up his gloves in November at the ripe old age of 58 for a controversial crossover clash with the YouTube sensation.
APBoxing legend Mike Tyson will throw down with YouTube sensation Jake Paul in November[/caption]
GETTYMany fight fans believe the 58-year-old has taken the fight because he needs the money[/caption]
EPABut the former undisputed heavyweight champ insists that couldn’t be any further from the case[/caption]
Iron Mike looked like a shell of the man who struck fear into the hearts of heavyweights in the late ’80s and early ’90’s when he returned to the ring for a Covid clash with Roy Jones Jr in November 2020.
Money is at the top of many fight fans’ lists of reasons why the near-pensioner-aged Tyson has decided to throw down with the 27-year-old.
But the weed mogul recently said: “I could be waiting on a check every day from cannabis.
“That’s bulls*** for me. I’m a man; I want to go out there and I want to expose myself to risk.
“Sometimes I want to see who I really am. I want to see what I’m really made out of. I want to perform in front of the world.
“To me, that’s all I ever knew how to do since I was 14.
“This fight is not going to change my life financially enough. This is just what I want to do.”
The addictive feeling of having his hand raised has also played a huge factor in the former undisputed heavyweight champion’s decision to return to the ring.
“I’m a glory junkie,” Tyson admitted. “I love people thinking about me all day.
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“I’d rather live a short life of glory than a long life of obscurity. It’s just who I am.
“This is all I started fighting for—to get all this f***ing status.
“I’m going to be chasing it for the rest of my life. I know that.
“I’m never going to get what I want, because I’m one of those gluttons for pain. I can never get enough.”
The whopping 31-YEAR age difference between Tyson and Paul was the root cause of the outrage surrounding the Texas tussle.
And Tyson set alarm bells ringing this month by admitting his gruelling training camp is taking its toll on his body.
In a frank admission to USA Today, he said: “It’s hard to walk right now.
“But two months from now I’m going to be perfect. The fight is won in the gym.
“Listen, I’ll do anything that will help me.
“I’m going to enjoy my time here tonight with all my childhood friends, and the hell with Jake Paul.”
ReutersMike Tyson training ahead of Jake Paul bout, https://twitter.com/MikeTyson[/caption]