Mike Tyson vs. Floyd Mayweather; A fight for the decades
Two generations of boxing greatness may soon collide in Central Africa.
According to Ring Magazine quoted by Sportsbible, an exhibition between former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and retired five-division world champion Floyd Mayweather is tentatively scheduled for April 25 in Congo. The report, which cites information shared with journalist Mike Coppinger, suggests discussions have advanced toward staging the event on African soil.
The development follows public comments from Tyson, who indicated that talks are no longer speculative.
Tyson says fight is on
Speaking to TMZ Sports, Tyson confirmed that negotiations are moving forward.
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"Yeah, it’s happening. Sh*t, yeah, it’s happening! You think I’d give that up?! I was minding my business! He challenged me," Tyson said.
He added: "We are going to party afterwards, baby! We’ll have a ball afterwards!"
Tyson, 58, returned to the ring in November 2024 for an exhibition against Jake Paul at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The event, streamed on Netflix, went the full distance, with Paul earning a unanimous decision. The bout had previously been postponed after Tyson suffered an ulcer flare-up, an issue he referenced again in his interview.
"I feel incredible. Listen I was an extra large [pulls at t-shirt] but we are a large now," he said.
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Mayweather’s exhibition path
Mayweather, 48, has continued to participate in exhibition contests since retiring with a 50,0 professional record that included 27 knockouts and world titles across five weight classes, from Super Featherweight to Light Middleweight.
His most recent appearance came in August 2024 against John Gotti III. No official winner was declared in that contest.
While Mayweather has not publicly detailed negotiations regarding Tyson, the potential matchup would represent one of the most commercially intriguing exhibition pairings in recent years.
Why Congo could host the event
According to Inside Ring Show, which referenced sources speaking to Mike Coppinger, the Tyson vs Mayweather exhibition is being lined up for April 25 in Congo. If finalized, the event would mark a rare occasion in which two globally recognized American boxing icons compete in Central Africa.
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Hosting the bout in Congo would add a distinctive international dimension to what is already a headline grabbing matchup. Major exhibition fights in recent years have often been staged in unconventional markets, reflecting boxing’s growing focus on global event promotion rather than traditional title stakes.
For now, formal contracts and official announcements remain pending. But with Tyson publicly declaring the fight is on, attention is likely to intensify around what could become one of 2026’s most talked about boxing spectacles.
Sources: Sportsbible, Ring Magazine, Inside Ring Show, TMZ Sports
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