Again, Mayweather set to come out of retirement

American boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. has announced that he will return to professional boxing after his upcoming exhibition fight with Mike Tyson this spring.

Mayweather, 48, retired from professional boxing in 2017 with an unbeaten record of 50 wins. Although he has taken part in several exhibition bouts since then, he has not fought in an official professional contest.

In a statement, Mayweather said he still believes he can achieve more in the sport and set new records. He added that his events continue to attract large crowds, global television audiences and generate significant revenue.

His first professional fight after retirement is expected to take place this summer, with his opponent yet to be announced. More details are expected in the coming weeks.

Known as “Money,” Mayweather was once the highest-paid athlete in the world. At the peak of his career, he was regarded as one of boxing’s best pound-for-pound fighters and dominated the welterweight division for many years.

However, his career has not been without controversy. Critics often accused him of being too defensive in the ring and of avoiding risky opponents. He has also served time in prison over domestic violence cases.

Mayweather’s last professional fight was in 2017 against former UFC champion Conor McGregor. Since retiring, he has continued to appear in exhibition fights, including a victory over John Gotti III in Mexico in August 2024.

Reports suggest that his exhibition bout with Tyson could take place on April 25 in Congo, although the date and venue have not been officially confirmed.

Tyson, 59, last fought in November 2024 when he suffered a one-sided defeat to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Texas. That fight attracted about 70,000 spectators, with millions more watching worldwide.