Former world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. has revealed plans to come out of retirement and return to professional boxing following his upcoming exhibition bout with Mike Tyson.
The 48-year-old retired in 2017 with a flawless 50-0 record but has remained active in exhibition contests. Speaking to AFP, Mayweather expressed confidence in his ability to continue breaking records in the sport.
“I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing,” he said. “From my upcoming Mike Tyson event to my next professional fight afterwards, no one will generate a bigger gate, have a larger global broadcast audience and generate more money with each event than my events.”
Mayweather confirmed that his first professional fight since 2017 is tentatively scheduled for this summer, although his opponent has not yet been announced. Further details are expected in the coming weeks.
Nicknamed “Money,” Mayweather was once the highest-paid athlete in the world, earning $300 million in 2015, according to Forbes. At the height of his career, he was widely regarded as boxing’s pound-for-pound king, dominating the welterweight division for over a decade.
His last professional appearance came in 2017 against former UFC champion Conor McGregor, in a high-profile crossover bout that captured global attention.
Since retiring, Mayweather has taken part in several exhibition fights, including a victory over John Gotti III in Mexico in August 2024. He has also faced reality television personalities and YouTube fighters in commercially successful events.
Mayweather has signed an exclusive agreement with CSI Sports/Fight Sports to facilitate his professional comeback after the Tyson exhibition.
According to The Ring, the exhibition clash between Mayweather and Tyson is scheduled for April 25 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, although the date and venue have yet to receive official confirmation.
Tyson, 59, last fought in November 2024 in Texas, where he suffered a decisive loss to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paulin a Netflix-backed event attended by approximately 70,000 spectators, with millions more watching globally.
Mayweather’s career has been defined by both extraordinary success and controversy. While celebrated for his defensive mastery, technical precision, and business acumen, he has also faced criticism over his fighting style and past legal troubles. His return to professional competition is expected to generate significant global interest.
