Floyd Mayweather Jr. revealed his intention to relaunch professional boxing, moving beyond his recent run of exhibition bouts. The announcement comes as Mayweather prepares to share the ring with Mike Tyson in an exhibition bout tentatively scheduled for April 2026 in the Congo. The development marks a significant shift for the former champion, who has not competed professionally since retiring in 2017 after defeating Conor McGregor to secure a 50-0 record.
Mayweather, 48, officially hung up the gloves after his victory over McGregor in 2017, where he scored a tenth-round TKO in a widely watched crossover fight. Since then, he has remained active through exhibitions against various opponents, including professional fighters, MMA competitors and celebrities.
His last outing was in August 2024 in Mexico, where Mayweather faced John Gotti III, the grandson of notorious crime figure John Gotti, maintaining his public profile but not affecting his undefeated professional record.
In 2025, Mayweather confirmed the signing of a contract to fight Mike Tyson, 59, in the expected big boxing event. The match will bring together two of the most respected figures in the sport, whose combined age is 107 years.
However, Mayweather has hinted that the encounter could signal a transition back to professional competition.
WHAT DID MAYWEATHER SAY ABOUT HIS RETURN?
The boxing great said he still has it in him to set more records in the sport.
“I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing,” Mayweather said in a statement.
“From my upcoming Mike Tyson event to my next pro fight after that – nobody generates a bigger gate, has a bigger global broadcast audience and generates more money with each event – then my events. And I plan to continue to do so.”
If the comeback is completed, it will be Mayweather’s first official professional appearance in nearly nine years. The potential bout is notable for ending his longest hiatus from sanctioned professional boxing since the start of his career.
Mayweather’s decision to return to the ring will be closely watched given his status as an undefeated five-division world champion and the sustained attention his fights attract.
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Published on:
February 21, 2026