The former heavyweight world champion will take on the YouTuber on July 20 and admits that he is afraid of stepping into the ring against his younger opponent.

Tyson told Fox News: "I have a weird personality - I don't think it's weird though. Whatever I'm afraid to do, I do it. That's how it is. I was afraid of the Roy Jones Jr. fight (in 2020).

"I was 100 pounds overweight, I was however old, 54, 53, and I said ‘Let’s do it.' Anything I'm afraid of, I confront it. That's my personality. Right now, I'm scared to death."

However, Iron Mike admits that the feelings of fear inspire him to continue competing.

He said: "I always believed that adversity and nervousness pretty much catapulted me into success. If I didn't have these feelings, I wouldn't go into this fight. I have to have these feelings to fight. Without them, I would never go in the ring."

Tyson confirmed that the controversial bout will be an exhibition - but in name only.

He said: "This is called an exhibition, but if you look up 'exhibition' you will not see any of the rules we'll be fighting under. This is a fight."

The boxing legend also says that his opponent - who has nine out of his ten professional fights so far - has come "a long way from YouTubing".

Tyson explained: "I saw a YouTube of him at 16 doing weird dances. That's not the guy I'm gonna be fighting.

"This guy is gonna come, he's gonna try to hurt me, which I'm accustomed to, and he's gonna be greatly mistaken."