Floyd Mayweather Jr. doesn’t have any qualms about passing the torch to the next generation.
They will just have to do so without using his name for their own personal gain.
The former long-time pound-for-pound king and richest prizefighter in the history of the sport has made it clear in no uncertain terms that he is forever done with the sport at the competitive level.
Mayweather has not fought since an August 2017 stoppage win over UFC superstar and boxing novice Conor McGregor in what landed as the second highest-grossing boxing event ever.
The financial pull fell just short of the all-time mark, also established by Mayweather in his 12-round win over Manny Pacquiao in their May 2015 pound-for-pound showdown. It also pushed his unblemished ring record to 50-0 (27KOs) and is content with that nice round number.
Recent rumors suggest an industry who isn’t quite as ready to move on without him. Mayweather’s name remains attached to several matchups, some fueled by social media teasers showing the now 43-year old working out in the gym.
“Those are just rumors. I’m retired,” Mayweather explained in a phone interview with FightHype.com. “I’m still with boxing. It doesn’t hurt to stay in shape. Your body is your temple. I’m just staying sharp, just—not to box, just for myself. Training fighters and just enjoying myself (despite) this pandemic. I’m helping the young and upcoming generation helping what they want to accomplish.
Mayweather has long served as the industry standard bearer for fitness commitment, a discipline he has clearly maintained nearly three years after his final official fight. The second-generation boxer spent the entire second half of his career serving as his own promoter, with his Mayweather Promotions now representing at least two dozen athletes ranging from rookies to boxing superstars.
What he’s no longer prepared to do, is return to the ring for anything other than an exclusive business opportunity. His last fight of any kind came on New Year’s Eve 2018, when he faced undefeated but undersized kickboxer Tensin Nasukawa in an exhibition match in Saitama, Japan.
“You gotta love my story—the American dream,” insists Mayweather. “You hear people say, ‘Floyd just took the easy route.’ I made it look easy. I took the hard route but I made it look easy.
“I’m very happy with the way my career went. I don’t have to fight no more. You’re gonna have fighters calling out Floyd Mayweather. I’m happy and I’m retired.” –Boxingscene
