Floyd Mayweather Announces Shocking Return from Retirement After Mike Tyson Fight

Undefeated with a 50-0 record, Floyd Mayweather is back for a major professional bout after retirement back in 2017.

Floyd Mayweather Announces Shocking Return from Retirement After Mike Tyson Fight

Mike Tyson vs. Floyd Mayweather (via X)

In Short
  • Floyd Mayweather is set to return to professional boxing after years of exhibition matches.
  • He is expected to face Mike Tyson in an exhibition bout later this year.
  • No specific opponent or weight division has been confirmed for Mayweather's professional comeback.

Floyd “Money” Mayweather last fought professionally back in the previous decade when he faced Conor McGregor. The 2017 ‘Money Fight’ saw the undefeated boxer defeat the Irishman via TKO in the tenth round. 

Years later, the undefeated boxer is now approaching a return to the professional circuit after years of competing in exhibition bout. This year will likely feature his much-anticipated exhibition bout against ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson. 

The promotion for Mayweather vs Tyson somewhat died down after the bout’s announcement last year. However, Tyson clarified that the exhibition bout will indeed happen this year. 

Rarely does boxers come back to professional set up years after retirement. The most recent is example is Mike Tyson coming back to face Jake Paul for their high-profile Netflix bout. Mayweather now joins Tyson in that list of fighters to make a professional comeback. However, no opponent or division is set as of now. 

Mayweather, who will turn 49 on February 24, has competed against amateur level talents since his retirement back in 2017. The likes of Tenshin Nasukawa, Logan Paul, Don Moore, Mikuru Asakura, Deji Olatunji, Aaron Chalmers, and John Gotti III are hardly professional level combatants. As such, one may have to wonder if the undefeated boxer can compete against much younger athletes in their prime.

Finding success with physical deterioration is tough, but Floyd Mayweather can find success due to his well-known hard-working mentality that elevated him to be the most successful boxer of his generation. After all, he was in a similar position back in 2013 against a young and dangerous Canelo Alvarez.

Mayweather relied on his superior footwork to school Alvarez the entire fight. The Mexican superstar couldn’t attack properly, and lost his undefeated record to a 36-year-old Mayweather in an embarrassing fashion. The American boxer has repeatedly put his legendary record on the line and has always prevailed.

If Mayweather is indeed fighting a young and hungry talent, he will need every tool in his arsenal to work well to counteract his physical deterioration. If not, the undefeated veteran can certainly find other opponents who are closer to the end of their career for a high-profile matchup. More details will likely come up once Mayweather completes his exhibition bout against Mike Tyson.

Floyd Mayweather was close to fighting UFC legend in a unique matchup

There are cases of UFC fighters transitioning for boxing bouts, but not the other way around apart from the exception of James Toney. However, the likes of Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva and many others have fought in the squared circle. One UFC legend who came close to boxing Oscar De La Hoya was former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre.

What makes Floyd Mayweather the GOAT of boxing
Floyd Mayweather (via Imago)

However, industry politics and Dana White’s hatred of De La Hoya made the bout impossible. Back in 2024, GSP made a major admission about receiving an offer to fight another boxing legend in Mayweather with a twist. This time, it was a boxing bout in an octagon.

There was a promoter that wanted to organize, the way they described it was a fair compromise between boxing and MMA against Floyd Mayweather. I was retired and I was like, ‘You know what, I’m interested.’ He said, ‘Boxing fight but in an octagon ring… It’s an octagon ring and you’re allowed to do spinning backfist.’ I was like, ‘You don’t want to allow me to use my legs, use my takedowns, forget it. It’s a trap, I’m not that stupid.’

Georges St-Pierre told Covers

The lack of kicks, takedowns, elbow and knee strikes would have given a clear advantage to Floyd Mayweather. As such, GSP didn’t proceed with any negotiations. The Canadian MMA legend has a net worth of around $35 million, and ranks among the richest fighters in UFC history. As such, he will compete for monetary benefits and always look for legacy matchups.

As things stand, there is more of chance of Mayweather continuing to compete in his 50s than St-Pierre coming back for a high-profile bout.

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