Boxing legend Mike Tyson to fight shark for a TV show

The 54-year-old said it would help to overcome his fear of a comeback.

Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson will fight a great white shark in a bizarre comeback for a Discovery show titled "Tyson Vs. Jaws: Rumble On The Reef."

The show is a part of Discovery Channel's legendary annual event, Shark Week and Mike Tyson will go one and one against sea's apex predator underwater in the name of research. Legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer will also be on hand calling the shots between the two heavyweights.

“With famed ring announcer Michael Buffer calling the shots, these two heavyweights will square off underwater, where Mike Tyson will try to score a TKO over the massive shark, all in the name of research. No sharks were harmed (or bitten) in the making of this episode,” said Discovery Channel in an announcement.

The show will air on 9 August in the USA. In a trailer of the show, Mike Tyson is seen lifting weights, knocking over a shark cage, punching a surfboard, and attempting to blow up an inflatable boat.

The legendary boxer is working really hard to get back in the boxing ring more than 15 years after retiring from the sport. Mike Tyson said the show would help him overcome his fear of getting back into the ring after a very long time.

Mike Tyson remarked, “I took on this challenge to overcome fears I still deal with in life. I equate this with overcoming my fear of getting back into the ring at 54-years-old. I learned from this experience doing Shark Week that whatever intimidates me, I am still able to step up to the challenge of overcoming anything that would prevent me from accomplishing my life's mission of reaching my highest potential and bringing me closer to God.”

He has the experience of going-toe-to-toe against wild animals in the past. Tyson once tried to fight a gorilla at a zoo when he was 20-year-old and also kept a tiger in his house.

The 8-day Shark Week, which celebrates the apex predator of the sea, will feature more than 20 hours of new programming in its 32nd annual installment. Among the specials is the 20th-anniversary edition of Air Jaws. Viewers also will visit such places as New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa to learn how the coronavirus pandemic lockdown has allowed sharks to reclaim the oceans.