Is the Tyson-Mayweather Jr. fight still happening? What we know
Last weekend Mike Tyson conspicuously wore a cast on his right arm the Mike Tyson Invitational, a three-day amateur boxing event. Naturally, that has fueled some doubt about his exhibition fight scheduled with Floyd Mayweather Jr. for April 25 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This week, during Tysonβs trip to Thailand, there was no sign of the cast in videos and photos of Tyson. So what does it all mean?
Letβs start with Tysonβs interview on "The Ariel Helwani Show" on March 11. Tyson, 59, said he injured himself boxing.
βTraining, punching stuff,ββ Tyson said. βJust a little sprain, I have to go hard, itβs the only way Iβve got to go.ββ
Initially, Tyson seemed to suggest the fight take place as planned. But when Helwani asked if the injury would affect the exhibition, Tyson replied, βWe'll see.ββ
A representative for Tyson did not immediately respond to a request for information about Tyson's injury and the fight.
CSI Sports, the group that announced the fight in September, did not immediately respond to a USA TODAY Sports request for comment.
This may conjure up memories of the ulcer flare-up Tyson had that postponed his fight with Jake Paul for four months. And remember, the erstwhile Baddest Man on the Planet will turn 60 in June.
Tyson vs Mayweather: What else is up on the air?
Longtime boxing writer Dan Rafael reported early this month that the fight still is in the works but it wonβt take place April 25 and might not be held in the Congo.
βBeen much discussion about the Mike Tyson β Floyd Mayweather exhibition taking place April 25 in Congo,β Rafael wrote, according to SB Nation. βBut, per source with knowledge of the plans, it definitely wonβt be that date. It will move to a later date and while it might be in Congo, no site is set.β
CSI Sports, the group that announced the fight, still has the original information on its website β that includes no date.
Tyson-Mayweather fight: What do we know for sure?
The men agreed to fight. Well, according to a news release.
The announcement of the proposed fight came by news release issued in September. Since then, Tyson has reaffirmed his commitment to fight, said there won't be a weight limit and said the fight is scheduled for eight rounds. But Mayweather has made no such public proclamations.
Meanwhile, Mayweather has committed to a rematch with Manny Pacquiao Sept. 19 at The Sphere in Las Vegas, according to a news release issued in February by Netflix, which plans to livestream the fight.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tyson-Mayweather fight: What we know amid injury, schedule concerns