Floyd Mayweather clears legal hurdle as judge denies restraining order

Floyd Mayweather won a legal battle that keeps his planned exhibition with kickboxer Mike Zambidis alive after a federal judge denied a temporary restraining order sought by rival promoter CSI.

The bout, scheduled for Athens, Greece, was derailed last weekend when CSI filed an eleventh-hour injunction claiming Mayweather's participation violated an existing agreement to face both Manny Pacquiao and Mike Tyson in 2026. According to MMA Mania and ESPN, the judge's ruling allows Mayweather to move forward without restriction.

What the judge's decision means for Mayweather's boxing future

Mayweather's attorney, David Jonelis, framed the lawsuit as an intimidation effort. "While we don't typically comment on pending legal matters, this particular case is remarkable insofar as CSI and its counsel used litigation as a bully tactic to attempt to prevent Mr. Mayweather from earning a living," Jonelis said in a statement to ESPN. "We are of course thrilled that our judge's decision allows Mr. Mayweather's fight with Mr. Zambidis to proceed without restraint."

CSI's attorney Judd Burstein told ESPN the denial was a narrow setback on the question of immediate harm and predicted vindication in coming months. The promoter also raised the issue of an unpaid cash advance for the Pacquiao fight, which CSI maintains Mayweather still owes.

The Tyson bout, originally slated for April, fell through after health issues forced the former heavyweight champion to postpone. A September date has been floated for that matchup, with the Pacquiao rematch penciled in for January 2027, though neither fight has been formally announced.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Judge throws Floyd Mayweather legal lifeline, Zambidis fight back on after court denies restraining order