Floyd Mayweather has confirmed his plan to return to professional boxing after his exhibition bout with Mike Tyson, reports BritPanorama.
The 48-year-old American legend retired in 2017 with a flawless 50-0 record after defeating Conor McGregor. Since then, he has competed in various exhibition matches against fighters from boxing, MMA, and celebrity backgrounds. His most recent outing took place in Mexico two summers ago against John Gotti’s grandson.
Mayweather is now set to put his perfect record on the line in his upcoming match. “I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing,” Mayweather stated. The exhibition showdown has a provisional date in April and is expected to take place in the Congo, with Mayweather having signed a contract last year for this modern Rumble in the Jungle against the 59-year-old Tyson.
This anticipated return follows Tyson’s own comeback in 2020 after a 15-year hiatus, where he drew with Roy Jones Jr. in an eight-round exhibition. However, concerns about Tyson’s fitness have emerged, particularly given his approaching 60th birthday. These worries increased after his disappointing performance against Jake Paul in November 2024, where the YouTuber-turned-boxer, significantly younger at 31 years his junior, comfortably won.
Mayweather declared, “From my upcoming Mike Tyson event to my next professional fight afterwards – no one will generate a bigger gate, have a larger global broadcast audience, and generate more money with each event – than my events. And I plan to keep doing it.” Tyson’s previous match, characterized by critics as a difficult spectacle to watch, saw him showing signs of decline, contrasting sharply with his past as a dominant heavyweight champion.
Looking ahead, the boxing world is poised to witness how Mayweather seeks to preserve his legacy in the ring. His declaration raises questions about the evolving nature of boxing and celebrity matchups, as he prepares to step back into a professional arena. The entertainment value of these events continues to attract widespread attention, reflecting the intersection of sport and showmanship in modern boxing.
As the anticipation builds, one can’t help but consider the delicate balance between the thrill of professional competition and the spectacle that surrounds it — a reminder that in boxing, the lines between sport, entertainment, and real stakes can often blur vividly.
