NAIROBI, Kenya — Boxing legends Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are set to headline a high-profile exhibition fight in Nairobi, bringing two of the sport’s most celebrated figures to Kenya in a bid to showcase the country as a destination for world-class sports and entertainment.
The planned event, expected to take place in late May 2026, is being developed through a public-private partnership and has drawn support from government agencies and global promoters, according to organisers.
The bout would mark one of the rare times in boxing history that two marquee names from different generations share a ring in Africa.
A preferred venue for the event is Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, a site that has hosted major national and international events in recent years. With its central location and capacity for large audiences, promoters believe it will be an ideal setting for what they describe as a “premium sporting spectacle.”
The project is being coordinated by US promoter Bob Van Ronkel, president of Doors to Hollywood, which specialises in staging high-profile entertainment events.
Local collaboration is led by Abdishakur Mohamed Haji, director of Doors to Hollywood Kenya, who said talks with representatives of both fighters are progressing well and that a formal contract is anticipated soon.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports has confirmed government support in principle. Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya described the exhibition as a “premium international sports entertainment property” that aligns with Kenya’s strategy to strengthen sports tourism, attract investment, and raise the nation’s profile on the global stage.
Under the proposed arrangement, organisers would oversee all commercial aspects, including broadcasting rights, sponsorship and athlete contracts, while the government would provide logistical support such as security, immigration services and regulatory coordination. Details of financial terms remain under negotiation.
Iconic matchup between legends
Tyson, 59, and Mayweather, 48, are among the most recognisable figures in boxing history. Tyson, a former undisputed heavyweight champion, has remained relevant in the sport through exhibition matches and public appearances, despite a controversial defeat in an exhibition bout against social media personality Jake Paul in November 2024.
Mayweather, an undefeated former multi-weight world champion, retired from professional boxing in 2017 but continues to participate in exhibition, and entertainment-oriented, boxing events.
Both fighters agreed to the exhibition matchup in 2025, with initial global announcements signalling a broader interest in staging the event on African soil amid growing international attention on the continent as a host of large sporting spectacles.
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In prior comments when the fight was first reported, Tyson acknowledged the unlikely nature of the matchup but embraced its potential impact, saying the bout was something “neither the world nor I ever thought would or could happen.”
Mayweather, for his part, emphasised the event’s entertainment value, declaring that fans would be treated to something “big … legendary” that would showcase his enduring legacy.
Growing global and local interest
If confirmed, the exhibition fight in Nairobi would be one of the few occasions that such high-profile boxing figures have competed on the African continent, helping spotlight Kenya’s capacity to stage major sporting events.
Organisers say the event is intended to reach a global audience through broadcast and streaming platforms, further positioning Nairobi as a budding hub for international entertainment.
The announcement has sparked excitement among boxing fans across Kenya and beyond, with anticipation building over ticket sales, broadcast arrangements, and event production details.
