Floyd Mayweather confirms plan to make sensational return to boxing after Mike Tyson bout - with 50-0 record on the line

James Saunders

By James Saunders


Published: 21/02/2026

- 03:51

Updated: 21/02/2026

- 05:19

'I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing,' Mayweather vowed

Floyd Mayweather has confirmed his plan to return to professional boxing after his exhibition bout with Mike Tyson.

The 48-year-old American legend retired in 2017 with a flawless 50-0 record after defeating Conor McGregor.


Since then, he has competed in various exhibition matches against fighters from boxing, MMA and celebrity backgrounds.

His most recent outing fell in Mexico two summers ago against John Gotti's grandson.

Mayweather will now put his perfect record on the line.

"I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing," Mayweather said in a statement.

The upcoming exhibition showdown has been handed a provisional date of April - and is set to take place in the Congo.

Mayweather signed a contract last year to face the 59-year-old Tyson for a modern Rumble in the Jungle.

\u200bFloyd Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather has confirmed his plan to return to professional boxing after his exhibition bout with Mike Tyson

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"From my upcoming Mike Tyson event to my next professional fight afterwards – no one will generate a bigger gate, have a larger global broadcast audience and generate more money with each event – than my events. And I plan to keep doing it," the 48-year-old said in a statement.

Tyson made his ring return in 2020 following a 15-year absence, drawing with Roy Jones Jr in an eight-round exhibition.

But concerns have been raised over his fitness - given that the former champion is approaching his 60th birthday.

These worries only grew after his disappointing performance against Jake Paul in November 2024, which the YouTuber-turned-boxer - who was 31 years his junior - comfortably won.

Mike Tyson

PICTURED: Mike Tyson walks ringside at Mayweather's last professional match against Conor McGregor in 2017

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The contest was widely described as a difficult spectacle to watch, with Tyson appearing far removed from the fearsome fighter who once dominated the heavyweight division.

Paul, now 29, claimed a points victory in a bout controversially sanctioned as a professional fight.

Netflix streamed the contest, attracting over 100 million viewers and launching the platform's involvement in live boxing.

Reports emerged last year that Netflix was interested in broadcasting a Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch.

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao

Floyd Mayweather won his 2015 contest against Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision

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Their first meeting generated more than £500million in pay-per-view revenue alone, setting a US record with 4.4 million purchases and another £55million in ticket sales.

Mayweather claimed victory by unanimous decision in what was billed as the “Fight of the Century,” settling years of speculation over who would emerge as the sport’s greatest of their era.

Pacquiao, 47, who lost to Mayweather in 2015, drew with Mario Barrios in a WBC welterweight title fight last July.

The Filipino star faces former champion Ruslan Provodnikov in a Las Vegas exhibition on 18 April.