Boxing
The Tyson-Mayweather exhibition in Congo is progressing slowly
The exhibition was first announced last year, without a date or location, which resulted in a lack of urgency. Mayweather’s reports of a rematch with Manny Pacquiao tied to a potential Netflix deal made the Tyson event look unnecessary. After the negotiations failed, Tyson’s exhibition was returned to the calendar, suggesting that it was always an emergency decision rather than a priority.
Congo, formerly Zaire, hosted the “Rumble in the Jungle” in 1974, when Muhammad Ali knocked out George Foreman to regain the heavyweight championship. This fight was about domination. Tyson-Mayweather is a story of survival – two retired icons who extend their commercial lives long after their professional careers end.
A peaceful introduction to warriors who were once in the spotlight
What was surprising today was the indifference that fans on social media showed in reaction to the Tyson-Mayweather exhibition. “No hype” is the most telling part of this whole story. This is a complete reversal of the media circus we saw with Tyson vs. Paul.
Today’s lack of emotion probably comes down to a few things:
1. “Age of Exhaustion”
Fans have reached a saturation point with these “legendary” exhibitions. When Tyson fought Roy Jones Jr., it was a curiosity. When he fought Jake Paul, it was a spectacle. Now that Tyson is 59 and Floyd is 49, it looks more like a nursing home activity than a sporting event. Social media reflects this. The initial ‘shock’ factor wore off and was replaced by a collective eye roll.
2. Physical absurdity
You are right to highlight the difference in weight and size. Even though both are icons, they don’t even come from the same sport in a physical sense.
- Tyson is a professional heavyweight fighter who usually fought at a weight range of 215–230 pounds.
- Mayweather won his first title at 130 pounds and never officially competed at any weight above 154 pounds.
Seeing them together in these promotional photos only highlights the “uncanny valley” of this matchup. It doesn’t look like a fight; looks like a photo shoot of two men trying to squeeze the last bit of juice out of their brands.
3. The “Congo” factor as a distraction
Using the “Rumble in the Jungle” legacy is almost like a shield to hide the lack of merit in the competition. By placing it in the Congo, they are trying to buy historical importance that the actual duel does not deserve. The fans are clever enough that the change of scenery does not change the fact that the total age in the ring will be 108 years.
4. Loss of the “Undefeated” aura.
For Floyd, the attractiveness was always “0”. However, in the world of exhibitions, where results do not matter and matches often do not end with a result, this aura is weakening. If there is no winner and loser, there are no stakes, and without stakes there is no hype.
“Derrick James, he started getting a little more players and a little more buzz, and I feel like our communication has changed,” Charlo told Brian Custer.
Charlo said that as James built a larger stable, there was less hands-on time spent with him and more trying to control the gym environment. He claimed that James wanted things done his way, including telling players to remove dogs from the gym during training sessions and changing the atmosphere that helped build their success.
Charlo has been out of the ring since his loss to Saul Alvarez in 2023, and James recently split from Errol Spence Jr. A coach once considered one of the safest hands in the sport is suddenly facing public criticism from two of his biggest names.
“He wanted it his way,” Charlo said. “Coach needs us. Don’t overdo it, coach. Serene down, coach. I was your first champion.”
He also pointed to his camp leading up to the Alvarez fight, saying the support around him wasn’t the same when he needed it most.
“You don’t enter into a world title fight like that,” Charlo said.
Charlo still believes he can regain his spot in the junior middleweight division, and talks about a possible fight with Sebastian Fundora are ongoing later this year. His confidence hasn’t changed, but his patience with ancient alliances has noticeably changed. Sometimes a rift begins when success changes the room.
Boxing
Prince Naseem Hamed predicts Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight: ‘It’s going to sound crazy’
Ben Whittaker’s next few months are already taking shape following his quick knockout victory in Liverpool, and Adam Smith outlines a busy summer schedule that should finally see the delicate heavyweight fighter face stronger tests
Smith said Whittaker is expected to return to the United States in overdue June on the Jaron “Boots” Ennis card, then return to the UK in the summer for a major date in his hometown of Birmingham.
Whittaker stopped Brian Suarez in two rounds last weekend and performed brilliantly throughout, adding another early finish to the stretch that helped rebuild attention around him after his first fight with Liam Cameron ended in a draw.
Smith said the June outing would support expose Whittaker to a wider audience ahead of a bigger national night later in the year.
“He will fight at the end of June in America at the Boots Ennis gala. That’s good. Show him to a global audience. Then he will come back here in overdue summer, maybe early September and fight in Birmingham in a huge fight,” Adam Smith said in an interview with Sport Boxing.
Smith also named British opponents who could be next, naming Lyndon Arthur, Brad Rea and Craig Richards as possible options once Whittaker returns home.
Smith believes that in the long term, bigger domestic fights with Joshua Buatsi and Anthony Yard should come within the next year if Whittaker continues to win.
“Buatsis and Yards need to be delivered within the next 6-12 months.”
Whittaker has had a lot of notoriety since turning pro, but the activity and matchmaking are looking more grave now. The next two fights should tell more than the first ten.
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Last updated: 24/04/2026 at 17:38
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