Floyd Mayweather, the former undefeated welterweight boxing champion, has confirmed he will come out of retirement, marking a return to the elite level of the sport for the first time in nine years.
The 48-year-old boxing legend is set to first face off against the 59-year-old former world heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson, in an exhibition match this spring, before stepping back into the professional ring in summer 2026.
This will be Mayweather’s fourth retirement U-turn, having last exited the professional boxing scene in 2017 following his high-profile crossover fight with mixed martial artist Conor McGregor.
Since then, Mayweather has remained active in exhibition bouts, facing notable social media personalities such as Logan Paul and Deji Olatunji, and most recently stepping into the ring with John Gotti III in August 2024.
Unfinished business for ‘Money’ Mayweather
Mayweather’s career, which ended with a perfect 50-0 record after defeating McGregor, has secured his place in boxing history, surpassing Rocky Marciano’s longstanding 49-0 record.
Despite having also claimed world championships across five different weight classes, Mayweather believes he has unfinished business in the sport.
“I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing,” Mayweather said in a statement released on Friday.
“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 has signed a deal with CSI Sports/Fight Sports to help handle his upcoming return.
On signing ‘Money’ for his comeback, CSI Sports/Fight Sports co-founders Richard and Craig Miele said they are ‘proud and privileged’ to be able to provide the boxing world with his return.
“Signing Floyd Mayweather to un-retire after he captures another world-wide audience with his Mike Tyson match-up, highlights our commitment to providing our global audience with the most high-profile fighters in the sport,“ they said.
“Floyd will once again continue to dominate boxing with the biggest audience and highest gross events of all time, and we are proud and privileged to be able to do this at CSI Sports/Fight Sports. “
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Mayweather’s legacy and potential motives
Mayweather is perhaps the undisputed champion of the pay-per-view era in boxing.
His fights against Manny Pacquiao in 2015, Canelo Alvarez in 2009, and Conor McGregor in 2017 rank as the highest-grossing events in boxing history.
It is estimated that Mayweather has amassed over $1 billion throughout his career, making him one of the sport’s wealthiest figures.
Beyond his financial success, Mayweather’s skillset has earned him a place among the sport’s all-time greats.
Victories over the likes of Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, and Oscar De La Hoya solidified his reputation as one of the most dominant fighters of his era.
In recent years, reports have emerged of Mayweather experiencing possible financial difficulties – claims of which he has consistently denied.
While Mayweather may be purely motivated on the lucrative financial rewards that his return will create, he could have set his eyes on surpassing Bernard Hopkin’s record for oldest world champion at age 46.
At 48, with his defensive style offering him remarkable longevity, Mayweather may view today’s welterweight division as an ideal setting for him to make further history within the sweet science.
Possible parallel with Pacquiao
Mayweather’s return may also be inspired by his former rival, Manny Pacquiao, who came out of retirement at age 46 to fight for the WBC welterweight title against Mario Barrios in July 2025.
The fight ended in a majority draw, with Pacquiao producing a spirited performance demonstrating that some older fighters are able to keep up with the younger talent of today.
This could be Mayweather’s cue to make a similar run, either chasing another title or taking on a few lower-ranked fighters to test the waters.
Whether Mayweather returns to compete for a world title or focuses on a few lucrative fights, the boxing world now waits in anticipation for confirmation of his next opponent – with an announcement expected in the coming weeks.
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SportJustSport writers