Mike Tyson has disclosed that his exhibition bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr will take place in March on African soil.
The 59-year-old former undisputed heavyweight champion made the revelation during An Experience with Mike Tyson event.
“Me? [My next fight is going to be] Floyd Mayweather,” Tyson stated when discussing his upcoming plans.
Pressed for further details on timing, he confirmed: “It’s going to be in March. And it’s going to be in Africa.”
The boxing legend expressed supreme confidence about the event’s potential impact.
“This is going to be incredible. We’re going to break all the records,” Tyson declared. “It’s going to be one of the biggest events in the history of the sport.”
The clash between the two boxing icons was first announced back in September, though neither a specific date nor venue had been confirmed at that point.
Reports in October indicated the pair remained committed to facing each other in an exhibition contest.
Mike Tyson has disclosed that his exhibition bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr will take place in March on African soil
Tyson has not entered the ring since his underwhelming performance against social media star Jake Paul last November, a fight in which he wore a knee brace.
The former heavyweight ruler, who has exchanged verbal barbs with Mayweather over the years, acknowledges the criticism surrounding their proposed meeting but remains undeterred by the backlash.
Reaction on social media proved divided following Tyson’s announcement.
One user on X dismissed the bout, writing: “Nobody cares, he sold out vs Jake.”
Others criticised the event as exploitative, with one commenting: “WTF this is so ridiculous and it’s simply promoters making money from legends of the sport!”
However, some viewed the African location as significant, with one fan noting it could “spotlight its growing sports infrastructure and inspire a new generation.”
Another simply predicted the pair would “make an absurd amount of money.”
Mayweather, the former five-weight world champion, last competed in August during an exhibition rematch with John Gotti III, grandson of the infamous New York crime boss.
Mike Tyson most recently fought and lost to Jake Paul | Reuters
Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at age 20 and is widely regarded as one of the most powerful and intimidating fighters ever.
Known as “Iron Mike” and “The Baddest Man on the Planet,” he unified the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles during his explosive rise in the late 1980s and finished his career with 50 wins, 44 by knockout.
His life has also been marked by significant controversies, including a 1992 rape conviction for which he served prison time, as well as turbulent personal and financial struggles.
After boxing, Tyson transitioned into entertainment, business ventures, and media, maintaining his status as one of the most recognisable figures in sports and pop culture.
He has since returned to the sport.
