The event featuring arguably boxing’s two top names of the past 40 years was announced last year without any details on a date or site.
Afterward, The Ring reported that Mayweather was in talks for a boxing rematch with Manny Pacquiao this spring on Netflix. When those discussions collapsed, the Tyson-Mayweather exhibition was back on track for the spring.
Formerly known as Zaire, the Congo was the site of one of boxing’s most famous fights. That, of course, is the 1974 heavyweight championship fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, known as “The Rumble in the Jungle.”
Tyson, 59, is a former heavyweight champion who remains a mainstream star two decades after he retired. His fight with Jake Paul in November 2024 attracted over 100 million viewers.
Mayweather’s last professional bout was a technical-knockout victory over Conor McGregor in August 2017. The all-time great, who will turn 49 next week, won titles in five weight classes, with 154 pounds being the highest.
The weight limit for this exhibition hasn’t been confirmed.
Mayweather has held several exhibitions since he retired, including a points win over Logan Paul, Jake’s older brother, in June 2021. He recently made headlines when Mayweather sued former Showtime Sports president Stephen Espinoza, accusing him of a scheme to steal money from the fighter.
Mike Coppinger is The Ring’s senior insider. He co-hosts “Inside the Ring” every Monday with Max Kellerman. Follow him on X/Instagram: @MikeCoppinger.