Mike Tyson showed his true colours with admission about huge purse for Jake Paul fight

Mike Tyson maintained he fought Jake Paul for his passion for boxing, rather than a massive payday. Twelve months ago, the former 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 decades older than his rival, Tyson's comeback proved highly contentious. Many fans believed he was simply pursuing it for monetary reasons. The bout proved disappointing, with Paul securing a points victory after Tyson barely landed a blow of note during the eight rounds. Nevertheless, Tyson, who has agreed to face fellow boxing icon Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition next year, maintained the estimated £15million he earned from the contest 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 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."

Tyson, who will be 60 next year, is now set to face former five-weight world champion Mayweather, 48, in an eight-round exhibition. The fight was announced by boxing production company CSI Sports, although no details regarding the venue or date have been released, other than it is 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 am going to do something. It's going to be big and it's going to be legendary.

"I'm the best in the business of boxing. This exhibition will give the fans what they want."