Mayweather Won’t Retire From Exhibitions – ‘Too Many Of You Busy Pocket Watching’
Floyd Mayweather has shut down suggestions that he will retire as he continues to fight in exhibitions.
Mayweather left the sport after beating Conor McGregor to go 50-0. That made him one of the greatest boxers of all time. He had nothing else to prove, having beaten the biggest rival of his time, Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather also amassed hundreds of millions of dollars, becoming a billionaire following his retirement. Since then, he has boxed eight times in exhibitions. The Logan Paul exhibition earned him $100 million alone.
He recently rematched John Gotti III. After the fight, Mayweather said he had three possible exhibition fights lined up. Oscar De La Hoya was very critical of Mayweather. He was clear that the exhibitions were harming his legacy. While that may have been the case, Mayweather does not plan on stopping anytime soon. Reports indicate he has made at least $200 million from the exhibitions, meaning that it has earned him more than what most boxers will make fighting pro boxers. It appears he will continue to do the same.
Mayweather Reacts
“Retirement isn’t about slowing down, it’s about living on your own terms. I’ve worked hard to build a life where I can choose my adventures, and if those adventures still bring in multi-millions, even better! Success isn’t something you retire from it’s something you refine. Exhibitions are my way of giving my fans, old and new, the opportunity to witness my greatness on any stage I choose,” Mayweather said
Mayweather is now 47. He is unlikely to make a professional comeback, but reports indicate a possible way. Pacquiao has been linked with a fight against WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios. If that fight comes about, it gives Manny the chance to become the oldest welterweight champion at 45.
He already holds the record when he beat Keth Thurman to win the WBA belt in 2019. That could set up the narrative for a Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch. The first fight earned Mayweather over $300 million. It could do big numbers if a rematch was for a world title. Regardless, Mayweather had no plans to slow down.
Mayweather’s Aim
“That’s what any successful businessman and boss would do. It’s okay for Jeff Bezos, who is 60, Bill Gates at 68, and Warren Buffett at 93, to continuously build their legacies and wealth, and they’re celebrated as smart businessmen.
“But when I, a Black man far younger in age, choose to do the same, somehow it becomes a problem for naysayers with nothing to their name. Bottom line, there’s too many of you busy pocket watching, while I’m busy still creating wealth and legacy,” Mayweather added
There is the danger that fighters end up boxing for too long. It only takes one punch to change something. Mayweather has secured his financial future, with no real pressure on him to fight. While he can continue to command millions, the question is whether it is worth taking that risk at this stage of his career.
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