In a move that has sent shockwaves through the sporting world, two of boxing’s greatest icons, “Iron” Mike Tyson and Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr, have signed a contract for a historic exhibition bout to be held in Africa this April.
According to multiple reports, the fight will take place in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa, on April 25th, 2026. Kinshasa, Congo (formerly Zaire), is well known for the “Rumble in the Jungle” event, which featured Muhammad Ali and George Foreman for the heavyweight championship in 1974.
“Yeah, that’s happening,” Tyson said in an interview. “You think I’d give that up? I was minding my business, he (Mayweather) challenged me!”
Tyson (50-7, 2 no contests), 59, last fought against Jake Paul on Netflix in a global phenomenon on November 15th, 2024. Tyson lost the eight-round bout by unanimous decision and hasn’t won a fight since February 22nd, 2003, against Clifford Etienne.
Mayweather Jr (50-0), 48, most recently squared off against John Gotti III on August 24th, 2024. It was the eighth exhibition match Mayweather has participated in since retiring undefeated from boxing after beating MMA star Conor McGregor in August of 2017.
The match was first announced in September 2025 with few details about the event circulating. When a match between Mayweather and Mike Zambidis was announced for June 27th in Athens, Greece, the likelihood of the exhibition seemed uncertain.