The boxing world received two explosive announcements: the fight between Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Jake Paul on November 14 in Atlanta, and the exhibition between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Mike Tyson in the spring of 2026
Although the events are months apart, they are already being compared in terms of impact, credibility and fan appeal. In a recent interview, Jeff Mayweather, a former boxer and Floyd’s uncle, fueled the controversy by hinting that the exhibitions could have predictable outcomes.
Fixed fight between Mayweather and Tyson?
Jeff Mayweather did not shy away from the subject of fixed fights. When asked if boxing purists would prefer to see an exhibition with a pre-arranged outcome, he replied that “boxing has changed” and that nowadays fights are organised more as spectacles than as real competitions. He recalled that Tyson’s professional fight against Paul was criticised for appearing scripted, and that exhibitions allow fighters to earn more without putting themselves at physical risk.
Davis vs. Paul: Show or sport?
Jeff also commented on the fight between Davis and Jake Paul, noting that “real boxing fans want to see real boxers“, while YouTube followers prefer to see Paul. Although he acknowledged that Davis is a legitimate boxer, he hinted that the presence of Jake Paul could detract from the seriousness of the event. “A lot of boxing fans aren’t going to watch that for Tank,” he said.
Mayweather and Tyson: names that sell
Despite doubts about the authenticity of the fight, Jeff assured that both Floyd Mayweather and Mike Tyson will receive “a huge check” for their exhibition. “Nobody is going to mess up their money,” he said, dismissing any possibility of Tyson losing control during the event. The historical tension between the two, especially over Mayweather’s comments about Muhammad Ali, will be one of the main attractions of the fight.
Is the future of boxing in exhibitions?
Jeff Mayweather was clear: “Exhibitions are here to stay.” According to him, traditional boxing has lost ground to mixed martial arts and media spectacles. Exhibitions allow entertainment without putting fighters at risk, although they have also been criticised for affecting the credibility of the sport. “It’s not about hurting anyone anymore, it’s about entertaining,” he concluded.
Spectacle or legacy?
Jeff Mayweather‘s statements reflect an uncomfortable reality for boxing: the sport is changing. With fights like Davis vs. Paul and Mayweather vs. Tyson, the debate between spectacle and legitimate competition intensifies. While some celebrate the entertainment, others lament the loss of authenticity. Only time will tell which of these fights will really mark the future of boxing.
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