Mike Tyson showed true colours with admission | Boxing News

Mike Tyson maintained he fought Jake Paul for his ardour for boxing, relatively than a large payday. Twelve months in the past, the previous world heavyweight champion was gearing up to take on the influencer-turned-boxer at AT&T Stadium in Texas.

At 58 and more than three a long time older than his rival, Tyson’s comeback proved extremely contentious. Many followers believed he was merely pursuing it for financial causes. The bout proved disappointing, with Paul securing a factors victory after Tyson barely landed a blow of word during the eight rounds. Nevertheless, Tyson, who has agreed to face fellow boxing icon Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition next 12 months, maintained the estimated £15million he earned from the competition wasn’t his main motivation.

Referring to his profitable cannabis-based wellness enterprise, he remarked during a commentary stint at a Cage Wars MMA event: “I could be waiting on a cheque every day from cannabis.

“That’s bulls*** for me [that he fought Paul for the money]. I’m a man; I would like to go on the market and I would like to expose myself to risk. Sometimes I would like to see who I actually am. I would like to see what I’m actually made out of. I would like to carry out in entrance 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.”

Tyson, who will probably be 60 next 12 months, is now set to face former five-weight world champion Mayweather, 48, in an eight-round exhibition. The combat was announced by boxing manufacturing company CSI Sports, although no particulars concerning the venue or date have been launched, other than it’s scheduled for spring.

Tyson said: “This fight is something neither the world nor I ever thought would or could happen. Boxing has entered a new era of the unpredictable – and this fight is as unpredictable as it gets.”

“I still can’t believe Floyd wants to really do this. It’s going to be detrimental to his health, but he wants to do it, so it’s signed and it’s happening.”

Mayweather, who retired undefeated after 50 fights, with his last victory being against MMA star Conor McGregor in 2017, confidently said: “I’ve been doing this for 30 years and there hasn’t been a single fighter that can tarnish my legacy.

“You already know that if I’m going to do one thing. It’s going to be big and it is going to be legendary.

“I’m the best in the business of boxing. This exhibition will give the fans what they want.”