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.”
Lance Pugmire is BoxingScene’s senior U.S. writer and an assistant producer for ProBox TV. Pugmire has covered boxing since the early 2000s, first at the Los Angeles Times and then at The Athletic and USA Today. He won the Boxing Writers’ Association of America’s Nat Fleischer Award in 2022 for career excellence.
