Mike Tyson may come to regret some of the things he said about Floyd Mayweather in the past as he prepares to take on the 50-0 legend in an upcoming fight.
The unexpected showdown between the two fighters has been announced to take place in 2026, pitting two of the all-time great fighters against one another in an exhibition bout.
Floyd Mayweather retired after knocking out Conor McGregor in 2017, but earned big bucks in exhibition fights against a series of opponents, including YouTuber-turned-wrestler Logan Paul.
There is a huge weight difference between Mayweather and Mike Tyson, which will have to be addressed, although the former Heavyweight champion will hope that some of his past comments will be forgotten in the build-up to this bout.
Mike Tyson named Julio Cesar Chavez and Sugar Ray Robinson ahead of Floyd Mayweather
While Mayweather may consider himself the greatest of all time, Tyson had something to say about that on an episode of his podcast.
Speaking on the Hot Boxin’ with Mike Tyson podcast in 2019, Iron Mike disputed the idea that Mayweather is the greatest boxer of all time, citing his impressive undefeated record as the reason why.
While Mayweather ended his career at 50-0, Tyson pointed out that Julio Cesar Chavez fought many more times than “Money”, amassing an 87-win streak during the prime of his career.
He also mentioned Sugar Ray Robinson as a fighter who has a better record and fought better opponents than Mayweather.
Tyson said: “Mayweather is not the GOAT, I enjoyed watching Pacquiao more. Floyd’s a great fighter, don’t get me wrong. He had 50 fights.
“Listen, Sugar Ray Robinson had 40 fights. He lost one, then he had a 78-fight winning streak. 40, lost one, then a 78-fight winning streak.
“[Julio Cesar Chavez Sr] was 89-0 before he lost. Don’t tell me about, ‘You’re the greatest fighter,’ with 50-0.
“You’re great, no doubt about it, but 50-0? Chavez had 90. He was fighting like, what? Eight times a year? Against whoever was in the rankings. He wasn’t picking, it was, ‘Whoever you want, come on.
Floyd Mayweather claimed he was better than anyone, including Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali
Back in 2020, Mayweather staked his claim as being the face of the boxing world, ahead of some of the biggest names in history.
In an interview with Club Shay Shay, Mayweather listed all the legends he is better than, including Muhammad Ali, Tyson, and Rocky Marciano.
He listed his undefeated streak, the fighters he beat in his career, and the money he drew as the reasons why Mayweather should be considered the GOAT.
Mayweather said: “How many world champions has Rocky Marciano beat? I beat more champions going into the Hall of Fame than he beat in his whole career, period.
“Ali? Is Ali the same fighter that got beat by a fighter with seven fights? Leon Spinks beat Ali when he had seven fights.
“Sugar Ray Robinson had what, 180, 200 fights? I still beat more world champions than him. Roy Jones Jr? I still beat more world champions than Roy Jones.
“Every time boxing comes on, you don’t bring up Muhammad Ali’s name. You don’t bring up Mike Tyson’s name. You always bring up Floyd Mayweather’s name because I’m the face of boxing.”
While weight classes make some of these debates impossible to resolve, fans will get a glimpse of the dream fight when Mayweather and Tyson lock horns in an exhibition fight in 2026.