Floyd Mayweather Jr. hints he might fight again
Boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. hinted at a possible return to the ring during the Showtime telecast of the Badou Jack-Lucian Bute super middleweight title fight Saturday night in Washington, D.C.
In an interview with Jim Gray, Mayweather said he has discussed his potential comeback with TV networks Showtime and CBS.
“Everyone is asking me, ‘Is Floyd Mayweather coming back? Right now I’m happy being on this side, but I’ve been talking to CBS and Showtime. You just never know, but right now I’m happy on this side,” Mayweather said.
The Las Vegas native said it would take a nine-figure payday and a championship match to lure him back to the ring. Mayweather last fought in September against Andre Berto at the MGM Grand Garden.
“You know, right now some crazy numbers have been thrown my way, upwards of nine figures,” Mayweather said. “I’m taking my time, I don’t really know what we’re going to do, but right now I’m happy with being on this side helping fighters.”
Gray made it clear to Mayweather that he was “opening the door here” for a return and went on to discuss potential opponents.
Gennady “GGG” Golovkin was the first name mentioned, but Mayweather shot down that idea quickly.
“Triple G, I think it’s best he go up and fight Andre Ward,” Mayweather said of the middleweight fighter. “I think that would be a good fight for Triple G. Andre Ward, that’s a good matchup. How could Floyd Mayweather fight at 160 and I can’t never even make 154?”
Undefeated welterweight Danny Garcia has been linked before to fighting Mayweather.
“Danny Garcia, another name,” Mayweather said. “Undefeated prospect, undefeated champion in two different weight classes, very exciting fighter, you just never know.”
The winner of the Keith Thurman-Shawn Porter fight on June 25 is another possible matchup that Gray brought up.
“No, I like being on this side,” Mayweather told Gray. “Thurman and Porter are both are exciting fighters. But I’m happy being on this side. Everyday everyone is asking us, ‘Floyd are you coming back? Floyd are you coming back?’ All I want to do is continue to build my company, Mayweather Promotions, help these fighters become world champions.”
Mayweather made upward of $220 million for his fight against Manny Pacquiao last May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden.
Besides money, Mayweather (49-0, 26 knockouts) said he would like to improve his record to 50-0, which would break his tie with Rocky Marciano for the longest undefeated streak in boxing history.
Jack retained his World Boxing Council super middleweight title with a 12-round majority draw with Lucian Bute. Judge Stephen Rados scored the fight 117-111 for Jack, and Omar Minton and Glen Crocker both had it 114-114.
Jack (20-1-2) said he still plans to move on to a unification bout with James DeGale, who retained his International Boxing Federation super middleweight title by unanimous decision against Rogelio Medina earlier at the DC Armory.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Contact Gilbert Manzano at gmanzano@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0492. Follow him on Twitter: @gmanzano24
