Former multi-division world champion Floyd Mayweather has confirmed he will resume his professional boxing career after his scheduled exhibition bout with Mike Tyson, ending an eight-year retirement.
Mayweather, 48, last fought professionally in 2017, retiring with an unbeaten 50-0 record. He has since participated in a series of exhibition contests.
“I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing,” Mayweather said in a statement to journalists
“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 (sic) my events.”
His return to the professional ranks is tentatively set for this summer, with his opponent yet to be announced. Additional details are expected in the coming weeks.
Known as “Money,” Mayweather topped Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes in 2015, earning $300 million. At his peak, he was widely regarded as boxing’s pound-for-pound king, dominating the welterweight division for over a decade.
While celebrated for his technical mastery, conditioning and ring intelligence, he has also drawn criticism for his defensive approach and alleged avoidance of risky opponents. He previously served jail time in connection with a domestic violence case.
Mayweather’s last official bout was against Conor McGregor in 2017. Since then, he has featured in exhibition fights, including a win over John Gotti III in Mexico in August 2024, as well as contests against social media personalities and reality television figures.
He has signed an exclusive promotional agreement with CSI Sports/Fight Sports ahead of his return.
Mayweather’s professional comeback will follow an exhibition contest with former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. Ring Magazine reported that the fight is expected to take place on April 25 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, though organisers have not officially confirmed the date or venue.
Tyson, 59, last entered the ring in November 2024, losing decisively to Jake Paul in Texas. The Netflix-backed event attracted approximately 70,000 spectators, with millions more watching worldwide.
