Mike Tyson vs. Floyd Mayweather | Exhibition - Spring 2026

[Ruthless-RKO]

Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather to square off in spring exhibition

Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jnr’s embrace of novelty boxing has led them to each other for an exhibition fight being planned for spring 2026, the fighters announced in a joint statement Thursday.

The pay-per-view legends will fight for CSI Sports/Fight Sports, which earlier in the day announced a slew of hirings including former ESPN/DAZN head John Skipper and former HBO pay-per-view executive Mark Taffet.

The location and date of Tyson-Mayweather has yet to be finalized, but its classification as an exhibition was sealed by Tyson’s lackluster performance in November versus YouTuber/cruiserweight contender Jake Paul.

The Association of Boxing Commissions later ruled that such fights, requiring two-minute rounds, extra-padded gloves or weight discrepancies, will furthermore be declared exhibitions.

Still, the celebrity pull of former heavyweight champion Tyson and the 50-0 Mayweather – both Hall of Famers – bring attention to the event.

“When CSI came to me about stepping in the ring with Floyd Mayweather, I thought, ‘No way this happens,’ but Floyd said yes,” Tyson said. “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 unpredictable as it gets. I still can’t believe Floyd wants to do this. It’s going to be detrimental to his health, but he wants to do it, so it’s signed and it’s happening.”

Mayweather said his unbeaten record over the past 30 years ensures “there hasn’t been a single fighter that can tarnish my legacy.

“You already know that if I am going to do something, it’s going to be big and it’s going to be legendary. I’m the best in the business of boxing. This exhibition will give the fans what they want.”

Mayweather has staged numerous exhibitions, including one with Logan Paul in Miami.

Now 48, Mayweather was mentioned by Manny Pacquiao’s team in July when the eight-division champion returned to the pro ring at age 46 and fought WBC welterweight titleholder Mario Barrios Jnr to a draw.

Mayweather-Pacquiao in 2015 stands as the most lucrative prizefight in history, and a rematch seemed feasible given Mayweather’s healthy lifestyle.

Now Pacquiao appears headed to another welterweight title fight in December, and Mayweather is turning to Tyson, who literally showed his ass before the Paul fight in a pre-fight interview with his son, and then faded badly after the first round as his 58-year-old body showed all the effects of a prior health scare and a longtime marijuana smoking habit.

“Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather are two of the most compelling names and personalities, with lasting legacies in all of sports,” said CSI Sports founders Richard and Craig Miele. “Tyson vs. Mayweather will break every broadcast, streaming and economic record set by Mike Tyson in 2024.”

On Netflix, Paul-Tyson drew 108 million live viewers among its subscribers.

CSI Sports is planning a “robust” marketing campaign with weekly premium storytelling and worldwide marketing reach, according to its news release.

The bout will occur in a “world-class” venue, with CSI promising new technology “to revolutionize and forever enhance the sport and viewing experience.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Tyson hates FMJ.

getting silly now. at least it's being sold as an exhibition.

FMJ's exhibitions over the years went from bad to worse

[MasterG]

This isn't really worthy of a thread imo. It's all pretence matchmaking thats just making money for the promotor and the 2 boxers who are just having a little spar. Why not just hold these kind of fights in a gym and steam free on YouTube?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Why not just hold these kind of fights in a gym and steam free on YouTube?

cus the people involved are greedy and want paying for a sparring session.

[IRONFIST]

A joke, maybe as much as FMJ trying to wrestle The Big Show.

[gp.]

Why not just hold these kind of fights in a gym and steam free on YouTube?

cus the people involved are greedy and want paying for a sparring session.

Well, it is an exhibition. The whole point of an exhibition has always been that it's a little show for the crowds to raise some money for the participants. Nobody's really trying but you're meant to be admiring their skills.

[goose 5]

Historically, there were many exhibitions that resulted in knockouts. Look into Joe Louis and Jack Dempsey and the many exhibitions they participated in.

[gilgamesh]

A joke, maybe as much as FMJ trying to wrestle The Big Show.

It's worse than that I think. Floyd did that in Wrestling. Wrestling has always been stupid

Boxing at one time had at least the illusion of some integrity.

Imagine the bad press Muhammad Ali would've gotten for an Exhibition with Roberto Duran.

Or Joe Louis with Ike Williams

I don't know how long people will be stupid enough to care about sh*t like this, but in a lot of ways. It doesn't represent the breakdown of Boxing. It represents the breakdown of society itself. Everything is shock value and clickbait and a ruse to get more of your money. Nothing is sincere. Nothing is sacred. It's all a con and the conmen have become so emboldened they'll tell you they're conning you to your face and con you some more.

[KiwiRider]

A joke, maybe as much as FMJ trying to wrestle The Big Show.

It's worse than that I think. Floyd did that in Wrestling. Wrestling has always been stupid

Boxing at one time had at least the illusion of some integrity.

Imagine the bad press Muhammad Ali would've gotten for an Exhibition with Roberto Duran.

Or Joe Louis with Ike Williams

I don't know how long people will be stupid enough to care about sh*t like this, but in a lot of ways. It doesn't represent the breakdown of Boxing. It represents the breakdown of society itself. Everything is shock value and clickbait and a ruse to get more of your money. Nothing is sincere. Nothing is sacred. It's all a con and the conmen have become so emboldened they'll tell you they're conning you to your face and con you some more.

I always wondered the type that buys these things, especially in America where they charge the equivalent of dinner for two in a low-mid range restaurant for the PPV.
Why watch someone try and fail to do something they could do decades ago.
And against someone else just as washed up.
If people have that much money to blow, give it to a relevant charity. Maybe PTSD treatment clinics.

[Nightmare Roy]

This isn't really worthy of a thread imo. It's all pretence matchmaking thats just making money for the promotor and the 2 boxers who are just having a little spar. Why not just hold these kind of fights in a gym and steam free on YouTube?

Because they make millions from them as daft as they are, personally I'd rather watch Mrs Browns Boys, but plenty of numpties will hand over their money.

[Oiky]

Ffs

[IRONFIST]

A joke, maybe as much as FMJ trying to wrestle The Big Show.

It's worse than that I think. Floyd did that in Wrestling. Wrestling has always been stupid

Boxing at one time had at least the illusion of some integrity.

Imagine the bad press Muhammad Ali would've gotten for an Exhibition with Roberto Duran.

Or Joe Louis with Ike Williams

I don't know how long people will be stupid enough to care about sh*t like this, but in a lot of ways. It doesn't represent the breakdown of Boxing. It represents the breakdown of society itself. Everything is shock value and clickbait and a ruse to get more of your money. Nothing is sincere. Nothing is sacred. It's all a con and the conmen have become so emboldened they'll tell you they're conning you to your face and con you some more.

Mind you there was that match with Ali and Inoki...

[gilgamesh]

At least with Ali and Inoki people could be excused for not knowing what was gonna happen. We've seen enough of these Exhibitions now to know they're never entertaining.

[Controversial]

Ali had a few exhibitions including one against a NFL player. There was major talk of him fighting basketball giant Wilt Chamberlain in 1971 in a pro bout, they appeared on TV talk shows together promoting it but it fell through. But Tyson against anyone these days is just pathetic.

[gilgamesh]

Ali had a few exhibitions including one against a NFL player. There was major talk of him fighting basketball giant Wilt Chamberlain in 1971, they appeared on TV talk shows together promoting it but it fell through. But Tyson against anyone these days is just pathetic.

Right that's another thing to note about Ali's Exhibitions. Ali was in his 30's. Not damn near 60.

[Controversial]

Ali had a few exhibitions including one against a NFL player. There was major talk of him fighting basketball giant Wilt Chamberlain in 1971, they appeared on TV talk shows together promoting it but it fell through. But Tyson against anyone these days is just pathetic.

Right that's another thing to note about Ali's Exhibitions. Ali was in his 30's. Not damn near 60.

Yeah but it was a different era then, Ali still done things for money and I’m sure if he was offered millions to box an exhibition much later in life, and he was still able to, he’d have jumped at it. His team were still milking him for money when he was clearly suffering from CTE and chucked him in with a prime Holmes so I doubt they’d take the moral high ground with exhibitions. I can’t see most fighters turning down easy money. The internet and rise of satellite TV has just amplified it.

[gilgamesh]

Yeah honestly. The disgrace is not on the fighters for taking the money. The disgrace is on anybody that's excited about and would pay to see the event

The guy that's buying an expensive ass ringside ticket is a much bigger tool than either Tyson or Mayweather here.

[Controversial]

Exactly, money for old rope for Tyson and FMM, I bet they can’t believe people are paying them to do it.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Mayweather on training for Mike Tyson
“Well, not really training right now. The fight is in 2026, we’re still ironing out everything and I’m pretty sure it’s going to be exciting for the people and the fans…I just want to give the fans what they want to see, excitement. So I’m pretty sure it’s going to be an exciting event and people from all around the world are going to enjoyment.”

On whether this will be the last time we see him in the ring
“I don’t know. I’m glad that I’m able to just still be able to entertain for the people and they can still get a chance to get just a glimpse of me.

“It’s titled ‘Legend vs Legend’ so, I mean, that speaks for itself.”

On whether he could ever compete in a professional fight again
“[There’s] been talks. It’s possible…But as of right now everything is going great. I feel good, working hard each and everyday and I can’t wait for 2026.”

[KiwiRider]

Yeah honestly. The disgrace is not on the fighters for taking the money. The disgrace is on anybody that's excited about and would pay to see the event

The guy that's buying an expensive ass ringside ticket is a much bigger tool than either Tyson or Mayweather here.

Well said.

[Steveh583]

wont entertain such nonsense

[JamesPhilips]

viewtopic.php?t=259651

Ali did loads of exhibitions… including against a woman.. and NFL player Lyle Alzado. I think he did 2 exhibitions against Bugner too…. Loads of info in this thread

[Ruthless-RKO]

Mike Tyson reveals venue and date for ‘record breaking’ Floyd Mayweather exhibition

Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather are leaving America and heading abroad for their big exhibition bout next year.

If you expected the exhibition between two men whose combined age will reach 109-years-old next year to take place in America, you may be disappointed. Boxing icons Mayweather and Tyson are going to compete in an exhibition, but it seems to be set for somewhere in Africa according to the heavyweight.

The bout was always slated to take place in the early part of the year. But Tyson has now revealed plans for it to happen in March, although no broadcaster or host city has emerged with just four months until the event.

Mike Tyson reveals venue and date plans for Floyd Mayweather exhibition
Last week, Mike Tyson made a series of appearances in Dublin where he gave an interview about his legendary career. Part of that discussion was a question about his fighting future, at which point he dropped some previously unknown information about the Floyd Mayweather fight.

[CaptainSpacerod]

Yeah honestly. The disgrace is not on the fighters for taking the money. The disgrace is on anybody that's excited about and would pay to see the event

The guy that's buying an expensive ass ringside ticket is a much bigger tool than either Tyson or Mayweather here.

Bit harsh that.

It’s no different than somebody paying top dollar for a Rolling Stones gig or some other ancient rockers

[gilgamesh]

Yeah honestly. The disgrace is not on the fighters for taking the money. The disgrace is on anybody that's excited about and would pay to see the event

The guy that's buying an expensive ass ringside ticket is a much bigger tool than either Tyson or Mayweather here.

Bit harsh that.

It’s no different than somebody paying top dollar for a Rolling Stones gig or some other ancient rockers

The Rolling Stones are gonna give you a show though. You're paying just to look at Mayweather or Mike Tyson do something not particularly impressive.