Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather’s controversial exhibition is set to take place on April 25 in the Congo, according to reports.
The two boxing legends, who are both long retired from the sport, sealed a deal to fight each other in September of last year, TMZ reported at the time.
Given Tyson is nearing his 60th birthday, and that he looked a shadow of his former self in a farcical exhibition with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in 2024, talk of a potential bout with Mayweather, who last competed professionally less than nine years ago, has raised concerns for ‘Iron’ Mike’s health.
Yet according to Ring Magazine, the former undisputed heavyweight king is set to go ahead with the fight in just over two months’ time.
After initially targeting a March date, it is believed Tyson and Mayweather will now collide on April 25 after organizers settled on the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa as the location.
The Congo was host to the famous ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ showdown between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in 1974, which remains one of the most iconic contests in boxing history.
Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather’s exhibition is set to take place on April 25 in the Congo
Tyson’s last outing against Jake Paul in 2024 proved a grim watch as he labored to defeat
Mayweather, though 48 himself, is still in incredible shape and has a 50-0 professional record
In a statement released to TMZ in September, Tyson said: ‘This fight is something neither the world nor I ever thought would or could happen.
‘However, boxing has entered a new era of the unpredictable – and this fight is as unpredictable as it gets.
‘I still can’t believe Floyd wants to really do this. It’s going to be detrimental to his health, but he wants to do it, so it’s signed and it’s happening!’
Mayweather also responded to the news, claiming: ‘I’ve been doing this for 30 years and there hasn’t been a single fighter that can tarnish my legacy.
‘You already know that if I am going to do something, it’s going to be big and it’s going to be legendary. I’m the best in the business of boxing. This exhibition will give the fans what they want.’
Though Mayweather himself is turning 49 next week, he holds a 50-0 professional record after his last official bout against UFC star Conor McGregor in August 2017 and remains in incredible shape.
He has frequently returned to the ring for exhibitions since beating McGregor, including against online personality Logan Paul.
Tyson’s last outing came against Logan’s brother Jake, who was 27 at the time, in November 2024 at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium, and it proved a grim watch as the younger fighter cruised to victory.
Nevertheless, a remarkable 108 million people tuned in on Netflix to Tyson’s fight with Paul last year, and early indications are that this showdown between two of boxing’s greatest ever fighters could draw even more excitement.
