Two of the most recognizable names in boxing—Floyd Mayweather and Mike Tyson—are officially set to square off in a 2026 exhibition bout.
The announcement sparked instant debate across the sport, and former pro David “Flat” Sparks, known to MRECKTV viewers as “The Mad Boxer,” weighed in with a sharp take.
Sparks believes Mayweather’s decision to meet Tyson wasn’t just about entertainment or money. In his view, it was also a strategic way to bypass another potential matchup.
“When I first saw the flyer, I was expecting Floyd Mayweather to fight Roy Jones,” Sparks explained on MRECKTV. “That’s been in talks. But instead, Floyd pulled what I call a mega power move—and a mega petty move—by choosing Mike Tyson, the guy Roy Jones already fought.”
The backstory adds weight to his point. Tyson and Jones were the first “legends” to spark renewed interest in exhibitions when they fought in 2020. By stepping in with Tyson himself, Mayweather positions his name alongside that history while sidestepping Jones entirely. “Floyd basically said, ‘You want to call me out, Roy? I’ll just fight the man you fought first,’” Sparks said.
The fight also comes with built-in tension. Tyson has previously criticized Mayweather for claiming he was greater than Muhammad Ali, once calling him “a scared man” in a viral clip.
Sparks argued that history makes this exhibition different from others. “People said Tyson took it easy against Jake Paul. That won’t happen here. There’s too much personal animosity. Tyson’s going to try to knock him out.”
Still, the numbers may tell the biggest story. Both men are proven draws, with Mayweather topping the list of the four highest-grossing fights of all time and Tyson still one of the sport’s most iconic figures.
Sparks predicted the exhibition could generate “over half a billion” when merchandise, sponsorships, and pay-per-view sales are factored in.
Whether fans see it as spectacle or strategy, Sparks summed it up simply: “It’s Floyd being Floyd. He’s playing chess at the highest level.”