Mike Tyson privately thinks his boxing legacy is safe no matter what happens in his fight with Jake Paul, according to reports.
The 57-year-old will be returning to the ring for the first time since 2020 to tackle Paul in July, with his fellow American 30 years his junior.
Many have condemned the two men for agreeing to a fight given the huge age gap between them.
Tyson will be 58 by the time the bout takes place and the likes of Ricky Hatton, Eddie Hearn and Canelo Alvarez have all criticised the duo for their decision to face each other.
Mike Tyson feels his boxing legacy is safe no matter what happens against Jake Paul
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Some even fear Tyson's legacy will be destroyed if he crashes to defeat.
Yet a source has told The Mirror that the boxing icon thinks his reputation and achievements in the sport are safe, no matter what happens, because he doesn't view the fight as a continuation of his career - with the legend having 'zero concerns'.
"Let's be honest here," they said.
"Mike is doing this for the payday.
"It is a huge global event and gives him and his businesses huge exposure.
"He feels that this bout is not really connected to his career and momentous feats in the 1980s.
"While fans may think he is still that killer who destroyed so many men, this is more of a 'sparring' experience.
"Jake and he have been working on this for a while with the hope of doing it as a pay-per-view at one time.
"They and their teams had shopped it to many outlets working on getting a huge payday, but not everyone bought the concept or the appeal.
"Netflix did and it's a $40 million deal in total.
"It is another step into sport for them and a bit of a test too to see what numbers it draws."
Tyson is aware of the criticism he's received for agreeing to come out of retirement to go up against Paul.
But the former heavyweight champion has branded sceptics as 'jealous' and insists he'll be getting 'billions of views' when he emerges at the AT&T Stadium later this year.
"I'm 58 and what? I'm getting billions of views from just talking to somebody about fighting," he told Reuters.
"Everybody, even most of the athletes, they're jealous, that's whack.
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Mike Tyson last fought Roy Jones Jr back in 2020 as his battle with Jake Paul edges closer
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"I say in your prime you couldn't draw a million people, man.
"What are you talking, you couldn't sell out arena. Who at 58 could sell out an 80,000-seat arena?
"Why you think he wants to fight me and not anybody else? Everybody wants to fight him, all the boxers want to fight him.
"But if he fought them the only people that will come are the people that like him.
"The other guys, their parents might not even come watch them. That's just keeping it real.
Mike Tyson is set to rake in millions when he faces Jake Paul in July
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"They're too boring for their children to watch, it's like watching grass grow."
In a fresh interview with Fox News, Tyson has claimed his fight with Paul will be an exhibition match.
However, he also said there would be the same rules in place as a professional contest.
