Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather are set to meet in the ring for an exhibition bout in the spring of 2026, a matchup that few in the boxing world ever imagined possible.
TMZ first reported the news, which Tyson later confirmed on Instagram.
Both men, long retired from professional competition, have signed contracts for what is already shaping up to be one of the sport’s most unusual yet intriguing events.
Tyson, 59, remains one of the most recognisable figures in the history of boxing.
Mike Tyson's last boxing fight was against Jake Paul back in November
|REUTERS
The former heavyweight champion has spent decades in the public eye, his career defined as much by his devastating early dominance as by his turbulent later years.
His most recent exhibition against Jake Paul raised concerns about his health, with the younger fighter’s speed and stamina highlighting Tyson’s limitations at this stage of his life.
Even so, the appetite for Tyson appearances has not diminished.
That bout drew an estimated 108 million viewers worldwide, illustrating the enduring fascination with “Iron Mike.”
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Mayweather, by contrast, steps into this fight with his legacy intact and unblemished.
The 48-year-old retired with a perfect 50-0 record and has often been described as the most technically gifted defensive boxer of his era.
His career spanned 19 years, during which he defeated a vast array of opponents while cultivating an image as both a perfectionist in the ring and a master promoter outside it.
Since his retirement, he has remained in shape and taken part in occasional exhibition bouts, including against social media personality Logan Paul in 2021.
The fight is being organized by CSI Sports and Fight Sports.
While the exact date and location are still to be announced, the announcement alone has ignited speculation about how the styles of these two vastly different champions will mesh in the ring.
“This fight is something neither the world nor I ever thought would or could happen,” Tyson said.
“However, boxing has entered a new era of the unpredictable, and this fight is as unpredictable as it gets.
"I still cannot believe Floyd wants to really do this. It is going to be detrimental to his health, but he wants to do it, so it is signed and it is happening.”
Mayweather, unsurprisingly, spoke with his trademark confidence.
“I have been doing this for 30 years and there has not been a single fighter that can tarnish my legacy,” he said.
“You already know that if I am going to do something, it is going to be big and it is going to be legendary.
Floyd Mayweather fought Logan Paul back in 2021 | GETTY
"I am the best in the business of boxing. This exhibition will give the fans what they want.”
The fight will not count toward either man’s professional record, but the stakes extend far beyond statistics.
For Tyson, it represents another chance to connect with the public that has followed him since the mid-1980s.
For Mayweather, it is an opportunity to reinforce the aura of invincibility that has surrounded him throughout his career.