Two of boxing’s biggest icons, Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather, have agreed to a highly anticipated exhibition fight in 2026.
The 59-year-old Tyson surprised fans on Thursday night when he announced the event on Instagram by sharing a poster featuring half of each fighter’s face with the caption: “Legend vs Legend.” In the post description, Tyson simply wrote: “Coming soon.”
Speaking to TMZ Sports later, Tyson admitted he never expected Mayweather to actually agree. “This is the kind of fight neither the world nor I ever thought would happen. I still can’t believe Floyd really wants to do this. Honestly, I think it could be damaging to his health,” he said.
Mayweather, nearly a decade younger than Tyson, showed no fear or hesitation. “I’ve been doing this for 30 years and no one has ever tarnished my record. Whenever I do something, it’s big and it’s legendary. This exhibition will give the fans exactly what they’ve been waiting for,” Mayweather told TMZ Sports.
Since it’s an exhibition match, Mayweather’s flawless 50-0 professional record will remain intact, even if he loses.
This is not the first time Tyson has returned to the ring after retirement. Just last November, he fought 28-year-old boxer and influencer Jake Paul, a bout in which Tyson was defeated. Before that, he hadn’t fought professionally since 2005.
Mayweather’s last professional fight was in 2017 against UFC star Conor McGregor, which Showtime described as one of the most-watched boxing matches in history. In the U.S. alone, the bout generated 4.3 million pay-per-view buys.
In 2021, Mayweather also faced Jake Paul’s older brother, Logan Paul, in another exhibition fight. Although no official winner was declared, ESPN scored the contest 78-74 in Mayweather’s favor.
Adding to the hype, ESPN named Floyd Mayweather the “Greatest Boxer of the Century” just this Wednesday.
