Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather’s bitter feud dates back over a decade as they finally look to settle it in the ring.
The legendary former heavyweight champion has signed up to fight fellow icon Mayweather in an exhibition bout early next year that promises to be one of the biggest fights of all time. The pair will be a collective 108 years old when the bout takes place.
And while many fans might see the exhibition as little more than a cash grab for both men, there is legitimate bad blood between the pair. They almost came to blows during a WBC belt presentation in 2014, and have never been on great terms since.
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Mike Tyson vs Floyd Mayweather confirmed for next year
Overnight Thursday, Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather both took to social media to confirm that they are fighting in an exhibition bout early next year. CSI SPORTS, otherwise known as FIGHT SPORTS appear to be putting on the event, with no date or location yet confirmed.
“When CSI came to me about stepping in the ring with Floyd Mayweather,” Tyson said in a press release. “I thought, ‘No way this happens,’ but Floyd said yes. 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 as unpredictable as it gets. I still can’t believe Floyd wants to really 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 then added: “I’ve been doing this for 30 years and 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.”
Mike Tyson almost threw a punch at Floyd Mayweather during 2014 meeting
The pair’s feud allegedly goes back to a 2001 incident at Tyson’s house, which came to a head when they met years later at the WBC convention in Las Vegas. The pair were both on stage for a belt presentation of legendary former champions when the New Yorker almost threw hands.
Tyson squared up aggressively to Mayweather and pulled back from throwing a punch, before the pair shook hands and awkwardly embraced. For his part, Mayweather appeared to find the entire ordeal funny, and famously didn’t even flinch.
Many commenters noted under the video, caught by famed boxing reporter Elie Seckbach and garnering over 13million views, that even at the age of 47, Tyson’s speed was such that he likely didn’t even see the punches in time to flinch.
Immediately after the swing, Tyson stared Mayweather down before eventually offering the handshake. And he continued to give an intense look at his rival until eventually being distracted by other legends on the stage.