Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Mike Tyson Tentatively Set for Exhibition Bout in Congo.

Boxing legends Floyd Mayweather Jr. (48) and Mike Tyson (59) have reportedly reached a tentative agreement for an exhibition match scheduled for April 25, 2026, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (likely Kinshasa), according to Ring Magazine's Mike Coppinger and multiple outlets including USA Today, Bleacher Report, and others.The bout would mark a historic return to Africa for a major boxing event—nearly 52 years after the legendary "Rumble in the Jungle" on October 30, 1974, where Muhammad Ali defeated George Foreman in Kinshasa (then Zaire) to reclaim the heavyweight title.

Background on the Fighters

Mike Tyson: Last fought in November 2024 against Jake Paul, losing by unanimous decision in a high-profile exhibition. The former undisputed heavyweight champion has been active in exhibitions since his 2005 retirement (with a 2006 comeback loss).

Floyd Mayweather Jr.: Last appeared in August 2024 against John Gotti III in Mexico City (exhibition). The undefeated (50-0 pro record) five-division champion has focused on exhibitions/pay-per-view events since retiring in 2017 after beating Conor McGregor.

The fight was first rumored in late 2025, with Tyson confirming talks in December 2025 for a spring 2026 date in Africa. Negotiations reportedly advanced after Mayweather's potential Manny Pacquiao rematch talks stalled.

Mixed Reactions from the Boxing World

The announcement has drawn indifferent to skeptical reviews:Many fans view it as a "hypothetical dream fight" better left to video games like Fight Night (where Mayweather appeared in Round 2 and Tyson in Round 4).

Critics call it a nostalgia cash-grab with little competitive merit—Tyson at 59 and Mayweather at 48 are well past prime.

Supporters see it as a fun, historic spectacle honoring Africa's boxing legacy, potentially drawing massive pay-per-view interest.

No official contracts, purse details, or broadcast plans have been confirmed yet—it's described as "tentative." The Democratic Republic of Congo's Vice Premier Minister Mobutu Nzanga Ngbangawe publicly welcomed the news on social media, tying it to the Rumble in the Jungle legacy.If it happens, this could be one of 2026's biggest combat sports events—pure exhibition entertainment pitting two all-time greats in a symbolic African showdown.