Many within the boxing community doubted Floyd Mayweather’s retirement announcement after he defeated Andre Berto in 2015. Boxing is the Mayweather family business and his decision to exit the sport following victory 49 contained a similar theme to when he departed the sport in 2007 after a win over Ricky Hatton. In fact, he has now 'retired' a total of four times.
Surprisingly, Mayweather’s most recent retirement does contain a hint of legitimacy if you’re willing to accept that he has walked away from the sport he’s devoted his entire life to at a competitive level. Because since 2015, Floyd has seen plenty of action but it’s been on his terms and that has meant low risk for astronomical rewards.
In 2017, Mayweather welcomed Conor McGregor to boxing as the UFC superstar was ridiculously allowed to make his pro debut against arguably the greatest boxer of his generation. Mayweather toyed with the Irishman before stopping the shattered McGregor late in the fight.
On New Year's Eve 2018, Mayweather ventured to Japan to take on kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, in an exhibition boxing match. The fight was a disturbing spectacle that saw the Michigan man destroy another boxing novice in a matter of seconds whilst being heavily compensated by the organisers for what was essentially an act of bullying.
Next for Mayweather is a summer showdown with YouTube sensation, Logan Paul, in yet another exhibition where Mayweather has precisely zero chance of losing or even being tested. His gloried name still contains significant prize value and it’s no surprise that anyone willing to exchange their popularity for a well-paid hiding calls out the former five weight world champion.
Will we ever see Floyd in a legitimate test moving forward, though?
Would Mayweather fight Canelo Alvarez again?
For large portions of his illustrious career, Floyd Mayweather was a master of timing, both in and out of the ring. Despite his vast repertoire of skills, “Money” was a master at stacking the odds in his favour whether it meant dragging Ricky Hatton and Juan Manuel Marquez up to 147lbs or telling Canelo Alvarez that he couldn’t weigh more than 152lbs despite the super-welter limit being 2lbs heavier.
Could he take any kind of advantage into battles with the likes of Errol Spence, Terence Crawford, or Alvarez again if he was to make a miraculous return to the sport he gave his entire life to? One would imagine he would need as many as possible considering how long he’s spent away from the sport’s top level whilst beating ambitious no-hopers.
If Mayweather’s multiple revenue streams somehow dried up then the sport of boxing would welcome him back with open arms for a number of high-profile encounters but it doesn’t appear that day is close to arriving.
For now, Mayweather can pick up eight figure sums for slapping around social media stars and that’s easy money.
A lot easier than what a potential Alvarez fight would be.