How Much Will Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather Make in Their 'Unofficial' Match in Africa in April?

Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather, two of the biggest names in the world of boxing, have agreed to face off in Africa in April for an unofficial exhibition match. Tyson, 59, and Mayweather, 48, both have multiple wins under their belts, with their last fights taking place two years ago when Tyson fought against Jake Paul and lost and Mayweather fought against John Gotti III and won.

The announcement has drawn varying reactions from boxing enthusiasts who are worried about the athletes' conditions, given their ages. However, the potential financial windfall appears to be a major motivating factor for both fighters, with payouts expected to exceed $20 million (£15.3 million) each.

How Much Will They Make?

According to reports, Tyson received approximately $20 million (£15.3 million) from his 2024 match against Paul. Since two years have passed and there are additional risks to his health and safety, the public is convinced that he will receive a payout exceeding $20 million.

Mayweather, on the other hand, earned approximately $280 million (£213.7 million) following his 2017 match against Conor McGregor. However, in 2024, he reportedly only made $20 million to $25 million (£15.3 million to £19.1 million) following his match against Gotti III. Other sources believe that Mayweather is eyeing a $100 million (£76.3 million) pay cheque following his fight against Tyson. The latter is expected to earn significantly less compared to his opponent.

While the exact amounts have not been confirmed, it is expected that both Tyson and Mayweather will not accept anything less than $20 million.

Mike Tyson's Statement

Tyson first teased his upcoming match against Mayweather last year after he uploaded a poster featuring both of their faces with the caption 'coming soon'. In his statement, Tyson said he couldn't believe that Mayweather agreed to face off with him in the ring.

'It's going to be detrimental to his health, but he wants to do it, so it's signed and it's happening,' he said, according to Sportico.

Fans React to Possible Tyson-Mayweather Match

Thousands of fans across the globe are excited to see their favourites in the ring again, but some have reacted negatively to the news. Some are questioning whether Tyson is dealing with financial issues, while others are convinced that Mayweather is the one who is broke.

Some fans are also worried about Tyson's health and age, with concerns that he could sustain serious injury in the ring. Others stressed that competing for millions is not worth the risk, especially if it could result in death or permanent damage.

Historic Precedent in Africa

Tyson and Mayweather's upcoming fight in Africa marks the first major boxing match on the continent in the past 52 years. The first-ever match in Africa, called Rumble in the Jungle, featured Muhammad Ali and George Foreman and took place on 30 October 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). That historic bout saw Ali, at 32, defeat the heavily favoured 25-year-old Foreman to reclaim the heavyweight championship. The fight was watched by an estimated one billion people worldwide and is widely regarded as one of the greatest sporting events in history, demonstrating Africa's capacity to host world-class boxing spectacles.