Last Updated on February 17, 2026 by Pragjyoti Singh
Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather shocked the boxing world last year with the announcement that they would be facing off in a boxing match. Although there was no official confirmation on the date and venue, rumors suggested it was to take place in Africa somewhere in 2026.
Tyson recently added to the hype during a TMZ interview, seemingly confirming that the bizarre fight would definitely take place.
“S—, yeah, it’s happening. You think I’d give that up? I was minding my business! He challenged me!” he said.
Mike Tyson vs. Floyd Mayweather set to take place in April in Congo, Africa
Mike Coppinger, in a recent episode of the Inside the Ring show, dropped a big update on the rumored fight between Mayweather and Tyson.
Originally announced by CSI Sports/Fight Sports in September 2025 with a tentative spring 2026 date, the matchup finally has a home. “One of the biggest events in the history of sports.” as claimed by Tyson himself is reportedly set to take place in Congo on April 25th.
“We heard it about a couple of months ago. There was an announcement with no details. I started to wonder if it was even going to happen. Then we started to hear about Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, maybe. Now I’m told it is happening, this Mayweather, Mike Tyson exhibition. It’s going to happen on April 25th in Congo. We have arguably the two biggest names in the last 50 years,” Coppinger said.
Neither man is a stranger to exhibition matches that leave the combat sports world puzzled. Tyson’s last appearance saw him drop a unanimous decision to influencer Jake Paul in an eight-round heavyweight bout. Similarly, Mayweather has spent the last several years taking on a series of unconventional opponents, including Logan Paul, Deji, and John Gotti III, in a string of high-profile exhibitions.
Tyson himself admitted earlier that the offer took him by surprise .
“When CSI came to me about stepping in the ring with Floyd Mayweather, I thought, ‘No way this happens,’ but Floyd said yes,” Tyson revealed.
He even claimed that the unpredictability of the fight was just a part of the current era of boxing, where anything could happen. “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.” Tyson said.
Jake Paul is rooting for Mike Tyson against Mayweather
Tyson’s former opponent, Jake Paul too chimed in on the fight last year in an interview. The YouTuber turned boxer, who was last seen in a KO loss against Anthony Joshua, claimed that he was not too interested in the fight and feared it would turn out to be a boring clash of two out of their prime boxers.
Paul even questioned Mayweather’s ability to sell out arenas despite the latter’s record-breaking fights against Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor.
“Floyd, when he’s recently fought, hasn’t been able to sell. I’m not super interested in it. I think they’re both gonna make a bunch of money, which is great for both of them, but I think it’s going to be a boring fight.”
Despite Tyson’s age, Paul still hoped his former opponent would “put some hands” on Mayweather. “And I hope Mike can go and put some hands on Floyd. I’m rooting for him.” he said.
Most recently, we even saw Shakur Stevenson call out UFC champ Ilia Topuria after claiming no MMA fighter could match the skill level of a boxer inside the ring. But the Tyson vs. Mayweather bout promises to be one of a kind exhibition considering these are boxing’s two biggest names in the last few decades.
When is Mike Tyson vs. Floyd Mayweather taking place?
April 25, 2026
Where is Mike Tyson vs. Floyd Mayweather taking place?
Congo, Africa per Mike Coppinger’s report.
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