Mike Tyson has claimed that it was Floyd Mayweather who wanted to make their 2026 super-fight happen.
Iconic former undisputed heavyweight champion Tyson returned to the ring last November against Jake Paul, looking generally unimpressive as it became clear age had caught up to him. And after a year out, he is going again next year against fellow boxing superstar Mayweather.
The pair competed at drastically different weights throughout their careers. But exceptions are likely to be made for their exhibition, which has yet to book a venue or sign up a broadcaster.
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Mike Tyson believes Floyd Mayweather made the push for 2026 grudge fight
For the last few years, Floyd Mayweather has been on-and-off with an exhibition world tour that has seen him fight across the world in Japan, Dubai, the UK and around America. And after a year of inactivity, it seems he is coming back once more, this time for his biggest challenge yet in Mike Tyson.
And at a recent Hard Rock Bet VIP event at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Tyson explained that it was Mayweather who pushed for the fight. “I was minding my own business,” Tyson joked.
“I wasn’t bothering nobody. He just wanted to pick a fight.” When rapper Fat Joe, who was interviewing him on stage, asked if there was a ‘bag’ for the bout, Tyson replied: “I guess the bag is involved.”
Mike Tyson believes Floyd Mayweather is putting his health at risk in exhibition
While Tyson didn’t look near his best against Paul, he is still a much bigger man than Mayweather and packs a heavyweight punch. And in a statement when the bout was announced, he claimed it was likely to be a bad idea for the pair to meet.
“When CSI came to me about stepping in the ring with Floyd Mayweather,” he said. “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!”