LOS ANGELES — Floyd Mayweather Jr. is ending his nine-year retirement and returning to professional boxing this summer.
Mayweather, 49, has not fought a competitive bout since 2017, when he defeated Conor McGregor. Since then, he has participated in a series of exhibition matches against opponents including Logan Paul, Mikuru Asakura, and John Gotti III. He also has an upcoming exhibition against 59-year-old Mike Tyson, though details on the venue and broadcast have not been released.
“I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing,” Mayweather said in a statement. “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, or generate more money with each event than my events.”
Mayweather, a five-division world champion, gained global fame for his defensive skills, speed, and “Money May” persona. He previously defeated Manny Pacquiao in 2015 in what was then the richest fight in boxing history.
The comeback follows Manny Pacquiao’s own return to the ring. Pacquiao, 47, is set to face Ruslan Provodnikov in Las Vegas on April 18 for the second fight of his comeback.
Mayweather’s return also comes amid legal and financial disputes, including a lawsuit against Showtime Networks seeking over $300 million, and other disputes over unpaid rent and debts to jewelers.