Floyd Mayweather, 48, is coming out of retirement to rejoin professional boxing. He revealed the news Friday, following his upcoming exhibition fight with Mike Tyson this spring. Mayweather retired in 2017, undefeated in 50 professional bouts, but he continued exhibition fights.
“I still have what it takes to set more records in boxing,” Mayweather told AFP. He added that his events consistently generate the largest gates and global audiences. A first professional fight is tentatively planned for summer, with the opponent yet to be announced. Details about the fight will be released in the coming weeks, according to his statement.
Nicknamed “Money,” Mayweather once ranked as the world’s highest-paid athlete, earning $300 million in 2015. He dominated the welterweight division and was widely considered boxing’s pound-for-pound king. Despite his success, Mayweather faced criticism for a defensive style and selective matchups. He also served prison time for domestic violence incidents, sparking public controversy.
However, his athleticism, discipline, and boxing intelligence earned respect among peers. Mayweather’s last professional fight was against Conor McGregor in 2017. He recently defeated John Gotti III in Mexico in August 2024 during an exhibition match. He signed an exclusive deal with CSI Sports/Fight Sports, following his Tyson bout.
The Mayweather-Tyson exhibition may take place on April 25 in Congo, though it’s unconfirmed. Iron Mike Tyson, 59, last fought Jake Paul in November 2024, losing in a widely watched match.
