ICONIC boxing veteran Mike Tyson doesn’t care if he puts his life in danger for his comeback fight against Jake Paul.
Tyson admits he is selfish about his desire to keep fighting, not caring about the concerns of his wife or children.
The ex-undisputed heavyweight champion of the world is confident he will beat YouTuber turned-boxer Paul, claiming he will run scared once the bell goes in Dallas next month.
Fans and medical specialists have expressed concerns about Tyson’s welfare given the 31 year age difference to his younger, taller and heavier opponent.
But the 58-year-old is willing to put his life on the line: “It ignites me. You know what I mean? It just gives me a life for myself. Forget everybody else even if they wish I lose, it’s about me doing what I want to do.
“Forget what my wife and kids are thinking about just this one moment. Just stick with me and don't feel sorry for me. Don't worry about me. That's all.
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“It had nothing to do with my kids. It's all about me.
“And sometimes I wonder, is that bad? Is that my ego where it's just the hell I'm going to do, I don't care what my health risk or anything, and it's just who I am.
“They knew I was that way before they married me.
"They know I was that way when I had them and when they were kids, and I'm just going to always be there. I'm always going to test myself.
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“I'm always going to push the envelope. “
Tyson admits his completive nature means he is ready to defy the odds adding that some people may seem him as delusional.
He said: “It’s very scary if you don't give up on yourself because you could accomplish things you never dreamed you were going to accomplish.
“And when you do something like that, believe it or not, even if it's in a good perspective, it's very scary to believe something that you see as a delusion which you made a reality. That's pretty scary, but it's good. It's just scary to know the power of the mind could accomplish anything."
Asked what to say to fans who have concerns about him fighting Paul, he replied: “Tell them to bet their life on it.“
Tyson, speaking to Fox TV in Texas, declared he has “bad intentions” for Paul admitting the fight will be “not long.”
He smirked: “As soon as I catch him, because he's going to run like a thief. I don't see how he's going to make an exciting fight by running all day.
“He's supposed to be the young guy. He's supposed to walk right through me. I'm an old man. He's going to run all f***ing night.
“You can't compare me with other people my age because other people at my age haven't been training as long as being consistent as me. And I'm just a different species for a human being.
“I think it is because I'm very active in what I do. I don't sit around doing nothing. I'm just very active. I'm very serious in what I do, and I'm just so interested. I can't wait for this evening to happen.
“I think he believes he's a young guy. I'm the quasi-retired man child or whatever they may think I am, and he thinks this is going to be an easy touch.
“I'm going to be successful doing it, and it's easy.“
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Tyson taunted Paul to stand toe-to-toe and punched him at the start of the fight, which will be screened on Netflix on November 15.
He added: “He should try it. He's a younger man. He should be able to handle punches from an old, withering man like me. “