STWF | DALLAS | Nov. 7, 2025  — Boxing’s ultimate showman isn’t done yet. Nearly four decades after first stepping into the professional ring, Mike Tyson has once again sent shockwaves through the sport by confirming plans to fight Floyd Mayweather in 2026 — and even more surprisingly, expressing his desire for a rematch with Jake Paul afterward.

The 59-year-old heavyweight legend, affectionately known as “Iron Mike,” is defying both time and expectation. Less than a year after his exhibition loss to Paul in front of 70,000 fans at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tyson insists he’s “feeling better than ever” and has unfinished business in the ring.

“I Want Jake Paul Again”

Speaking with Hard Rock Bet, Tyson reflected on his recovery and preparation for the upcoming bout with Mayweather, calling this stage of his comeback the most refined version of himself yet.

“I’m getting more and more confident, and I believe I’ll be better in the [Mayweather] fight coming up,” Tyson said. “But this fight right here, I think I’d be more adapted because I had my other two experiences. I realized how to train this time.”

Tyson admitted that during his original training camp for Paul, he overworked himself — a mistake he’s determined not to repeat.

“I think I trained a little bit too intensely [for Paul], and I left most of my fight in the gym,” he confessed. “After this Floyd fight, maybe we can have a rematch. Yes, I would be interested in that.”

When Tyson and Paul first squared off last November, the result was a unanimous decision victory for Paul, who landed 78 punches to Tyson’s 18 across eight rounds. Despite the defeat, Tyson remained competitive throughout — an impressive feat for a fighter approaching 60 years old.

Afterward, the boxing icon revealed that he was battling illness leading up to the fight.

“I didn’t want to use that for an excuse, but I had some real bad health problems,” Tyson admitted. “But I’m fine now. I feel good right now — this is the best I’ve felt in years.”

The former heavyweight champion emphasized that his new approach to training focuses on pacing and recovery rather than the extreme intensity that once defined his career.

“I worked too hard. I was too intense, too extreme. I need to relax more,” Tyson explained. “That’s what I’ve learned — to let it come to me. I left a lot of my fight in the gym last time.”

Despite the loss, Tyson was gracious toward Paul, even commending his performance.

“He did well,” Tyson said. “But I want to try it again.”

Tyson vs. Mayweather: “A Fight for the Ages”

Tyson’s planned exhibition with Floyd Mayweather has been billed as one of the most intriguing — and unexpected — matchups in modern boxing history. The fight is slated for spring 2026, though an official date and venue have yet to be announced.

The matchup, Tyson says, represents boxing’s new frontier — an era where entertainment, legacy, and spectacle collide.

“Boxing has entered a new era of the unpredictable,” Tyson declared when announcing the bout earlier this year.

The two legends have a combined age of nearly 120 and boast a combined record of 98-6, though this fight will be an exhibition — not officially sanctioned for professional records.

Mayweather, who retired with a perfect 50-0 record, has continued to participate in exhibition bouts, most recently against YouTube star Deji in Dubai. Tyson, meanwhile, has parlayed his post-career fame into a new brand of boxing theater, combining nostalgia with star-driven entertainment.

“[Mayweather] definitely reigns with the greats — there’s no doubt,” Tyson said. “He put in his work. But our fight is going to supersede all the fights and all the glory he had before this.”

The $600 Million Question

Reports have circulated that Manny Pacquiao and Mayweather are in talks for a blockbuster rematch, with Netflix exploring the rights to broadcast what could be a $600 million megafight. Tyson brushed aside those rumors, insisting his clash with Mayweather remains on track.

“I wish I could give you some input, but I have no idea what you’re talking about as far as those two guys fighting,” Tyson said when asked about a Mayweather–Pacquiao sequel.

Regardless of outside noise, Tyson remains focused on his own legacy — one fueled by redemption, rivalry, and the relentless pursuit of one last moment under the bright lights.

“The Baddest Man” Still Has Business to Finish

At 59, Tyson isn’t supposed to be here — not physically, not competitively, not mentally. Yet as he stares down the twilight of an unmatched career, his drive burns as fiercely as ever.

“I can’t wait to start getting in the ring again,” Tyson said. “I learned from my last fight. I’m ready to show everyone I’ve still got it.”

And if things go his way against Mayweather, the next name on Tyson’s hit list is clear: Jake Paul, the man who once beat him — and might have to try and do it again.