Floyd Mayweather retired from boxing with a 49-0 record. Many people have assumed that he will come back for a big 50th win, and prospective opponents are already lining up for their shot at the big payday, but Mayweather isn’t exactly here for it.
UFC champion Conor McGregor has been angling for a fight with Mayweather, even willing to get in the boxing ring instead of the Octagon to make it happen.
“Floyd’s not ready for this,” McGregor said. “Much respect to Floyd. He’s a solid businessman on what he’s been able to do, he’s a f**king animal at what he’s been able to do. But as far as real fighting, as far as true pure unarmed combat, Floyd don’t want none of this.”
“He wants a boxing match, he doesn’t want a fight. I want a $100 million cash to fight him under boxing rules, he’s afraid of a real fight.”
McGregor isn’t the only one trying to get the champ back in the ring, Manny Pacquiao is also putting on a full-court press trying to get a rematch from “Money” Mayweather.
“If we fight again I will do everything in my power to win back the trust of the fans,” Pacquiao told the Daily Mail after beating Jessie Vargas. “They would not be disappointed again if it happens.”
“I promise to make sure they love it. That is what we owe them. We have not had any discussions about a second fight but I know I will be boxing again. And if the fans want it, why not?
Pacquiao not only wants to redeem himself from a lackluster showing in the first match, he also wants the pig purse that comes from a Mayweather bout. Pacman has been known for causing himself serious financial issues from splurging on his massive entourage of family and friends, and bad investments. Mayweather noted that he is well off, and does not need to keep fighting like others; he’s content in retirement.
“A lot of fighters in the sport of boxing may want to retire, but they have to fight because they have to,” said Mayweather to USA Today. “I don’t have to fight.
“I just made $300 million for fighting Pacquiao. I’m OK. Like I said before, I’m happy with my position. Once again, the money don’t make me; I make money. I’m well off. I make smart moves, and like I said before, I’m happy with where my career has went.”
It was Mayweather himself who opened the door to the possibility of another fight for a nine-figure payday, but he noted he feels different ways on different days.
“Different days, I say different things. Different days, I feel different ways,” Mayweather said in response to his comments that he’s open to a ring return. “I feel different each day. Can Floyd Mayweather contradict himself? Absolutely. So that’s why I know when I contradict myself, it doesn’t mean I’m crazy.
“When someone puts up something I said in the past like, ‘Oh you said this, this day, well you said this, that day,’ I can contradict myself. I’m only human. I’m not perfect. God only made one thing perfect: my boxing record.”
It seems to me that a 50th fight isn’t exactly off the table; Mayweather could change his mind again, especially if that purse is too hard to pass up.
