Mike Tyson explains surprising motivation behind fighting Jake Paul and it's nothing to do with money

Mike Tyson has explained his motivation behind fighting Jake Paul and the reason might surprise you.

It turns out that it isn’t just the massive payday that has got the professional boxer keen to get in the ring with the YouTuber.

In fact, Tyson has revealed that any money he does get from the fight won’t ‘change his life financially’.

The pair are set to fight it out this Friday (Sarah Stier/Getty Images for Netflix)

The boxing match between the two has been highly anticipated after it was postponed in July when Tyson faced health issues.

Now, it’s set to go ahead on Friday (November 15) at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The fight will be available to stream live on Netflix.

Now, Tyson has shared the motivation behind his decision to take part in the match.

Speaking to LADbible Group, he said: “This fight is not going to change my life financially. If I did it for free, it’s not going to change my life financially. My wife is constantly telling me, you do not need to do this fight.”

Since money isn't his motivation, why exactly is Tyson doing the fight?

Well, he explained: “This is what I want to do, this is me. I’m seeking my glory.”

Mike Tyson has shared his reason for fighting Jake Paul (Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Also talking to LADbible Group, Paul spoke about Tyson, saying: “I believe I have a mental edge here and I think he is underestimating me, truly.

“I know he’s training hard but the way he was talking about me – ‘he doesn’t have power, he couldn’t knock out Tommy Fury and Nate Diaz’.

Those are true things but I was a much different fighter then. With every year that goes by, I progress exponentially. Especially with the new team that I brought on after those fights.

“I think with the mind games, he isn’t prepared for the new version of who I am as a fighter.”

Meanwhile, when asked if he was confident he could still hurt Paul, Tyson simply replied: “It is going to be great.”

While it’s not clear exactly how much money the fighters are set to make, Paul did hint that there is some serious cash involved.

Speaking at a news conference in August, the YouTuber said: “I'm here to make $40 million and knock out a legend.”

He has also said that he believes the fight will be his ‘biggest payday’ out of all the fights he has taken part in so far.

He added: “It is definitely a healthy payday.”