"I took on this challenger to overcome fears I still deal with in life," the heavyweight champ said in a statement. "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 in life and bringing me closer to God."
Long time ring announcer Michael Buffer will voice the special episode.
"Someone's going to get bit," says Tyson, smiling into the camera in a promo.
The shark will not be the first wild animal that Tyson has gone head-to-head with in his life, he owned three white Bengal tigers, two females by the names of Kenya and Storm and a male named Boris.
Footage surfaced of Tyson playing with one of the tigers back in 1996, the animal sparring with the boxer while running around with a ball in its mouth.
However, boxing fans will still be holding their collective breath at the thought of Tyson donning the gloves in the ring once again, a prospect he hasn't ruled out.
"Anything's possible, my ego is starting to get elated and stuff that I'm capable of doing things but we'll see right. The future's got a lot of things on hold for us," Tyson told TMZ in May.
"There's a lot of people out there that need help and something like that [an exhibition fight] could help a lot of people that need help. That's basically what I've embarked on, a life of charity and gratitude."
