In a stunning revelation that’s already sending shockwaves through the boxing world, legendary heavyweight Mike Tyson has confirmed the details of his highly anticipated exhibition bout against undefeated phenom Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The fight, teased earlier this year as a spring 2026 spectacle, is now locked in for March 2026 in Africa—a bold choice evoking the grandeur of Muhammad Ali’s iconic “Rumble in the Jungle” in Zaire back in 1974.
Tyson made the announcement during a lively Q&A session at his live event, An Experience with Mike Tyson, while in Dublin, Ireland, where he was hosted by UFC star Conor McGregor.
Tyson, the 59-year-old former undisputed heavyweight champion known as “Iron Mike,” didn’t hold back on the hype. Responding to a question about his next ring appearance, he lit up the stage:
“Floyd Mayweather… can you believe that? It’s going to be in March, and it’s going to be in Africa. This is going to be incredible, we’re going to break all the records. It’s going to be one of the biggest events in the history of the sport.”
The seeds of this clash were planted decades ago. Tyson and Mayweather, both larger-than-life figures in boxing, have traded barbs for years.
Tyson has repeatedly dismissed Mayweather’s claims of being the greatest of all time (GOAT), once famously stating in 2020 that Mayweather “doesn’t have the credentials” to compare to icons like Muhammad Ali.
Mayweather, 48 and retired with a pristine 50-0 record, fired back by calling out Tyson’s relevance in the modern era. Their mutual shade turned into serious talk when promoters from CSI Sports/Fight Sports announced the exhibition in September 2025, billing it as a “fantasy matchup” for the ages.
The venue choice nods to boxing’s global roots, mirroring Ali’s 1974 upset of George Foreman in Kinshasa, which drew 50,000 live fans and captivated the world.