By Mark Whiley

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Mike Tyson insisted he fought Jake Paul for the love of boxing , not a huge purse. This time last year, the former world heavyweight champion was preparing to face the influencer-turned-boxer Paul at AT&T Stadium in Texas. At 58 and more than 30 years his opponent’s senior, Tyson’s return to the ring was hugely controversial, with many fans believing he was merely doing it for financial gain. The fight turned out to be a let down, with Paul winning on points after Tyson barely landed a punch of note during the eight rounds. However, Tyson, who has agreed to fight fellow boxing legend Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition next year, insisted the estimated £15million he was making from the bout wasn’t his primary motivation. Referring to his lucrative business selling cannabis-based wellness products, he said 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. 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.” Presumably, Tyson, who turns 60 next year, has the same motivation for fighting former five-weight world champion Mayweather, 48. Boxing production company CSI Sports announced the bout, but did not give a venue or any details of a date, beyond saying it would take place in the 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 went unbeaten during his 50-fight career, which ended with a victory over MMA star Conor McGregor in 2017. He 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.”