Boxing legends Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are reportedly set to square off in an exhibition bout on April 25 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
According to reports by Mike Coppinger, formerly of USA TODAY Sports and now with Ring Magazine, the two icons have informally agreed to face each other in an unofficial contest scheduled for April 2026.
Tyson, 59, last fought in November 2024, losing to Jake Paul via unanimous decision. Mayweather, 48, most recently stepped into the ring in August 2024 against John Gotti III in Mexico City.
If confirmed, the bout would come nearly 52 years after Africa staged one of boxing’s most iconic events, the “Rumble in the Jungle,” where Muhammad Ali defeated George Foreman on October 30, 1974, in Kinshasa.
Very happy to hear the great news from @MikeCoppinger of @RingMagazine that boxing legends @MikeTyson and @FloydMayweather
will face off in an exhibition match on April 25th in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, honoring the legacy of the Rumble in the Jungle 52 years later! pic.twitter.com/DzJ7EfK7Qz
— Mobutu Nzanga Ngbangawe (@NzangaMobutu) February 16, 2026
The proposed Tyson versus Mayweather clash has generated mixed reactions within the boxing fraternity. Critics question its competitive value given that both fighters are well past their primes, while supporters view it as a nostalgic spectacle.
For some fans, the matchup resembles a fantasy pairing, similar to selecting both legends at their peak in the video game Fight Night Round 2, which featured Mayweather, and Fight Night Round 4, where Tyson appeared as a playable character.
As anticipation builds, opinion remains divided.
While a section of fans shows little interest in seeing the veterans share a ring, others are drawn by the historic setting and the chance to witness two of boxing’s most recognisable names headline another major event on African soil.
“Excellent news for the DRC. Welcoming legends like Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather to our soil, 52 years after the historic Rumble in the Jungle, is more than a sporting event, it is a powerful symbol of cultural revival, international visibility, and renewed confidence in our nation,” one wrote on X.
“The country is being plundered from all corners; millions of dollars will be spent here, yet Kinshasa is submerged every time it rains. Get your priorities straight, populism is overrated,” another argued.
