Floyd Mayweather Jr. has announced that he plans to return to professional boxing after spending the last several years taking part in exhibition fights. The former world champion shared this update as he prepares for an exhibition match against Mike Tyson, which is tentatively scheduled for April 2026 in Congo.
Mayweather, 48, retired from professional boxing in 2017 after defeating Conor McGregor by technical knockout in the tenth round. That victory improved his record to a perfect 50 wins and no losses. After that fight, he said goodbye to official competition and stepped away from the sport at the highest level.
🚨BREAKING: Floyd Mayweather vs Mike Tyson is actually happening this spring, probably in April. 49 vs 60. Legends never die! pic.twitter.com/SfP8XoFzZ2
— Aaron Dibert (@dibert_aaron) February 21, 2026
Since retiring, Mayweather has stayed active through exhibition bouts. These matches were more for entertainment and did not affect his professional record. He faced a mix of opponents, including professional fighters, MMA athletes, and social media personalities. His most recent exhibition took place in August 2024 in Mexico, where he fought John Gotti III. Although the fight attracted attention, it did not count as a professional contest.
In 2025, Mayweather confirmed that he signed a contract to fight 59-year-old Mike Tyson in what is expected to be a major global event. The fight has already created excitement because both men are legends of the sport and remain big names even years after their prime.
Boxing icons Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather are set for a match in Africa this April. Details: https://t.co/lWyoAaEB7I pic.twitter.com/IOCeu2Vpxr
— Complex (@Complex) February 17, 2026
However, Mayweather has made it clear that he is thinking beyond exhibitions. He believes he still can compete at a high level and break more records. He also expressed confidence that his events will continue to generate huge crowds, strong television viewership, and major revenue. If Mayweather officially returns to professional boxing, it will mark his first sanctioned fight in almost nine years, ending the longest break of his career.
Also Read: NZ vs PAK Weather Alert: Rain Threat Looms Over Colombo Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 Clash
