According to Ring Magazine, a long-rumored exhibition bout between boxing legends Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather has been officially scheduled for April 25 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, following a venue change from the originally planned March date.

Congo holds a storied place in boxing history as the host of the iconic 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman—one of the sport’s most legendary fights. Choosing the country is widely seen as an effort to rekindle that historic aura.

Speaking last September, Tyson said: “This is a fight neither the world nor I ever thought would happen. Boxing is entering an unpredictable era, and this matchup reflects that.”
Mayweather added: “I’ve competed for 30 years and no opponent has ever tarnished my legacy. If I do something, it has to be big and symbolic.”

The exhibition reportedly reached an agreement in September of last year, according to TMZ. Though both fighters retired years ago, their global appeal remains immense. Still, skepticism surrounds the bout given their combined age of 108, the size disparity, and the non-competitive nature of an exhibition.

Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier criticized the matchup, questioning how fighters can present an exhibition to the public as meaningful competition.

Mayweather is widely regarded as a paragon of modern boxing excellence, retiring with a flawless 50–0 professional record, including 27 knockouts. He won a bronze medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics and has since focused on exhibitions, notably facing Conor McGregor in 2017 and Logan Paul at Hard Rock Stadium in 2021.

Tyson remains the youngest heavyweight champion in history, winning the WBC title at age 20 in 1986. He retired in 2005 with a professional record of 50 wins (44 by knockout) and six losses. Like Mayweather, he has taken part in exhibitions post-retirement, including a 2024 loss to Jake Paul at AT&T Stadium.

While the upcoming bout promises massive financial rewards and nostalgia, fans remain divided over whether it can truly capture the excitement of a genuine contest.