Floyd Mayweather overlooked Mike Tyson when he was asked to name the five greatest boxers of all time.
Both Mayweather and Tyson are widely regarded among the sport's all time greats, and they recently confirmed they will meet in an exhibition fight next year. Although both men are both past their primes, with Tyson turning 60 next year, and Mayweather approaching 49, the fight is already creating intrigue.
It may be made even more interesting by resurfaced comments that Mayweather made back in 2023, when he was asked to name his three greatest boxers ever.
He said: "We have got to go Pernell Whitaker. I’m going to go for Roberto Duran, but I got to give it to Larry Holmes. That man had the basic fundamentals, he had the jab and even right now, he’s still living a great life as he made smart investments.
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"He was good from the beginning of his career until the end of his career, and then Aaron Pryor, the only reason why Aaron Pryor lost a fight was because of drugs.”
When will Floyd Mayweather and Mike Tyson fight?
The boxing production company CSI Sports have announced the bout, but there are no details on the venue or date, except that it will be during the spring.
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Given the legendary status of both men, there is already anticipation.
Mayweather retired with an undefeated 50-0 record, having won 15 world titles across five different weight classes.
He retired in 2017 having beaten the MMA fighter Conor McGregor.
Speaking about the upcoming fight, Mayweather said: "I've been doing this for 30 years and there hasn't been a single fighter that can tarnish my legacy.
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"You already know that if I am going to do something, it's going to be big and it's going to be legendary. I'm the best in the business of boxing.
"This exhibition will give the fans what they want."
Tyson, who is the youngest boxer to ever win a heavyweight title, retired in 2005 with a record of 50 wins and six defeats.
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He returned to the ring last year to fight YouTuber Jake Paul in a contest which was streamed by Netflix.
Paul won by unanimous decision.
On the announcement of the fight next year, Tyson said: "This fight is something neither the world nor I ever thought would or could happen.
"Boxing has entered a new era of the unpredictable - and this fight is as unpredictable as it gets.
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"I still can't believe Floyd wants to really do this. It's going to be detrimental to his health, but he wants to do it, so it's signed and it's happening."
Topics: Boxing, Boxing News, Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson
James Taylor