Floyd Mayweather's proposed fight against Mike Tyson is in serious doubt after it emerged the boxer faces a multimillion-pound tax debt that could lead to his US passport being revoked. According to Ring magazine, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has notified Mayweather of its intention to revoke his passport over an unresolved tax debt of more than $7.25 million (£5 million). This would prevent him from travelling abroad, putting at risk bouts scheduled overseas, including the clash with Tyson.
Mayweather, 49, is due to fight kickboxer Mike Zambidis in Athens, Greece, on 27 June, followed by a contest with Tyson, with a deadline set for the end of May and DR Congo touted as a possible venue. He is also lined up to face old rival Manny Pacquiao in a professional rematch, expected to take place at the Sphere in Las Vegas on 19 September, as announced by Netflix.
Last month, Mayweather claimed the Pacquiao fight would be an exhibition and stated no venue had been confirmed. However, The Ring reported that signed documents suggested it was intended to be an official professional bout. Pacquiao rejected the notion of an exhibition, insisting he would only participate in a legitimate contest. Both camps say talks continue, with the probable venue now either the MGM Grand Garden Arena or the T-Mobile Arena.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has expressed serious doubts about whether the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight will go ahead. Speaking to FightHype, Hearn said: 'The whole thing is a mess... Netflix are new into boxing but they have got to be a bit more solid in a routine.' He suggested Netflix could instead turn its attention to a potential WBC welterweight title clash between Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn.
