Current:Home > InvestWhy is Mike Tyson fighting Jake Paul? He says it's not about the money -MoneyTrend
Why is Mike Tyson fighting Jake Paul? He says it's not about the money
View
Date:2025-04-24 16:45:10
He’s 58 years old and indicates there’s no need for money. So why is Mike Tyson moving forward with his fight against 27-year-old Jake Paul?
“I could be waiting on a check every day from cannabis,’’ Tyson said, referring to his cannabis company, Tyson 2.0. “That’s (B.S.) 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."
Tyson, who was sidelined for weeks after an ulcer flareup, made the remarks while providing commentary Friday night during Cage Wars 67, a mixed martial arts event in New York. Previously, he had been less clear about his motivation for the bout against Paul to be held on Nov. 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
"I want to perform in front of the world,'' Tyson said. "To me, that's all I ever knew how to do since I was 14.''
On Friday night, he expressed enthusiasm for the fights as he sat ringside with his son Amir at Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady, New York, about 180 miles from where he grew up in Brooklyn and about 50 miles from where he developed into a heavyweight world champion under the watch of the late Cus D’Amato.
But the regular two commentators for Cage Wars periodically brought the conversation back to Tyson and his fight with Paul, which is set to be livestreamed by Netflix. Paul recently said he would make $40 million from the fight, but Tyson downplayed the financial incentive.
“This fight is not going to change my life financially enough,’’ Tyson said. “This is just what I want to do.’’
Regarding the ulcer flareup that led to the fight being postponed, Tyson said he has no more ulcers and his “blood count is almost back.’’
Tyson resumed training in July, according to his agent Andrew Ruf.
Mike Tyson says it's 'hard to walk'
With the fight two months away, Tyson said he recently sparred six rounds. He said that will increase to 10 rounds as he prepares for a bout scheduled for eight two-minute rounds.
“The fight is won in the gym,’’ Tyson said.
But he acknowledged that training at 58 rather than, say, 20 – when he became the youngest heavyweight world champion in boxing history – is a different experience. Things are “a little shaky now,’’ according to Tyson.
“It’s hard to walk right now,’’ he said. “But two months from now I’m going to be perfect.’’
For recovery, Tyson is using electric stimulation and stem cells.
“Listen, I’ll do anything that will help me,’’ he said.
veryGood! (55)
Related
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- 3 bodies found in Mexican region where Australian, American surfers went missing, FBI says
- After poachers busted for hiding striped bass in odd locations, New York changes fishing regulations
- Kevin Spacey denies new sexual harassment and assault allegations to be aired in documentary
- Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
- 2024 NBA playoffs: Second-round scores, schedule, times, TV, key stats, who to watch
- Former security guard convicted of killing unarmed man during an argument at a Memphis gas station
- Padres thrilled by trade for 'baller' Luis Arráez, solidifying San Diego as NL contender
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- With a vest and a voice, helpers escort kids through San Francisco’s broken Tenderloin streets
Ranking
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Drive-thru food pantry in Southern California food desert provides consistent source of groceries for thousands: It's a labor of love
- Usher's Lovers & Friends canceled, music festival cites Las Vegas weather
- Mystik Dan won the Kentucky Derby by a whisker. The key? One great ride.
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- 1 dead in Atlanta area apartment fire that forced residents to jump from balconies
- We Can’t Get Enough of Jennifer Lopez’s Met Gala Looks Throughout the Years
- Kevin Spacey denies new sexual harassment and assault allegations to be aired in documentary
Recommendation
Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
Kentucky Derby: How to watch, the favorites and what to expect in the 150th running of the race
CBS News Sunday Morning gets an exclusive look inside the making of singer Randy Travis' new AI-created song
Boeing locks out its private firefighters around Seattle over pay dispute
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
Investigators say student killed by police outside Wisconsin school had pointed pellet rifle
Snakes almost on a plane: TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger’s pants
Shades of Tony Gwynn? Padres praise Luis Arraez, who makes great first impression