Floyd Mayweather is stepping back into the spotlight.
Just days before turning 49 years old, the undefeated former champion confirmed to ESPN that he plans to return to professional boxing in 2026.
The comeback would follow his scheduled spring exhibition against Mike Tyson, reportedly targeted for April 25 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, though full event details have not yet been finalized.
In his statement, Mayweather leaned heavily into business impact rather than competition. “I still have what it takes to set more records,” he said, adding that no event would generate a bigger gate or global audience than his.
Noticeably absent were mentions of titles, rankings, or specific opponents.
Floyd Mayweather: A return nearly a decade after 50-0
According to official records from BoxRec, Mayweather has not fought a sanctioned professional bout since August 2017, when he stopped Conor McGregor in the 10th round to secure his iconic 50-0 record.
That victory appeared to close the book on one of boxing’s most carefully managed careers.
Since then, Mayweather has participated exclusively in exhibitions, facing Logan Paul in 2021, Tenshin Nasukawa in 2018, Mikuru Asakura in 2022, and John Gotti III in 2023. None of those fights affected his professional record.
The upcoming Tyson exhibition adds another spectacle element. Tyson, 58, recently fought Jake Paul in a Netflix-streamed event that drew significant viewership but divided boxing analysts over its competitive legitimacy.
“I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing…
Why this comeback feels different
Mayweather has always been known as a master strategist outside the ring. Forbes has previously estimated his career earnings at more than $1 billion, placing him among the highest-paid athletes in history.
But this situation carries different weight. A sanctioned professional bout at 49 introduces real competitive risk.
“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 – then my events. And I plan to keep doing it with my global media partner, CSI Sports/FIGHT SPORTS…
Today’s welterweight and junior middleweight divisions are filled with fighters in their late 20s and early 30s. Unlike exhibitions, a professional fight would count on his record and carry official consequences.
History offers cautionary examples. Several boxing legends extended their careers beyond their primes, sometimes reshaping how their legacies were remembered. Mayweather left in 2017 undefeated. Returning now shifts that balance.
Divided reactions across boxing
The response across the boxing world has been immediate and polarized.
Some analysts see a continuation of Mayweather’s proven business model. Others question the sporting relevance of a comeback nearly ten years removed from elite competition.
No opponent has been officially announced for the proposed 2026 professional return. No sanctioning body has yet confirmed involvement.
Medical clearance and commission approval would be required before any bout becomes official.
For now, the Tyson exhibition stands as the first step. If Mayweather follows through with a sanctioned fight afterward, he would join a short list of elite fighters who returned to professional competition at an advanced age.
Whether this move enhances his legacy or complicates it will depend entirely on who he fights and how he performs.
Sources: Official statement to ESPN; professional records via BoxRec; financial reporting from Forbes; prior event coverage from ESPN and Netflix broadcast data. All information verified using publicly available records as of publication.
Read the full article here
