Tyson en Mayweather gaan in 2026 vechten en dat levert een storm aan kritiek op

Mike Tyson (59) en Floyd Mayweather (48) stappen in 2026 samen de ring in voor een exhibition fight. Het gevecht wordt aangekondigd als een “once-in-a-lifetime legend vs legend” gevecht.

“Floyd said yes,” bevestigde Tyson. “This fight is something neither the world nor I ever thought would or could happen. 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!”

Mayweather reageerde zelfverzekerd: “I’ve been doing this for 30 years and there hasn’t been a single fighter that can tarnish my legacy. 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.”

Toch kwam er vanuit de bokswereld veel kritiek. Barstool Sports-oprichter Dave Portnoy noemde de sport na het nieuws “dead,” en promotor Lou DiBella reageerde: “Stick a fork in the whole f***** thing.”*

Journalist Ryan O’Hara sloot zich daarbij aan: “Folks are going to buy this and make them a couple hundred million for a light sparring session. AI robots will enter the ring with fancy lights and shake their butts. Everything before the fight will be the show. These circus acts are not going to end.”