Floyd Mayweather delivers defiant answer to retirement question

07/09/2024 12:27

Floyd Mayweather isn’t considering hanging up his gloves anytime soon.

‘TBE’ retired from professional boxing in 2017 with an unblemished 50-0 record but has continued competing in lucrative exhibition bouts.

Mayweather claims to have earned over £200million from fighting YouTubers, reality television stars and everything in between during a second career that has come under fire from all corners.

Several members of the boxing fraternity have criticised Mayweather for tarnishing his legacy in the crossover sphere and have urged him to call it quits.

But in a defiant statement posted on social media, Mayweather hit back at his detractors.

He wrote: “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.

“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 has stepped into the ring eight times since retiring from the professional ranks.

Most of those have been non-scoring bouts, meaning they have ended in automatic draws after going the distance but there have been a few stoppages along the way.

His first-ever exhibition bout took place in December 2018 when he humiliated and knocked out kickboxing star Tenshin Nasukawa in the opening stanza.

Mayweather dropped the Japanese icon three times while dancing around the ring before the contest was waved off.

In the immediate aftermath, Nasukawa burst into tears as Mayweather’s hand was held aloft.

The American boxing legend also made quick work of MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura and YouTuber Deji Olatunji while his most notable opponent was content creator Logan Paul.

Mayweather was outweighed by 34lbs on the scales and likely even more on the night yet he was able to cruise through the eight-round contest without receiving any real damage.

His most recent outing was a rematch against John Gotti III in August 2024.

Their inaugural encounter descended into a mass brawl after the fight was declared a no-contest due to excessive trash talk.

During their second meeting, equally absurd scenes played out as Mayweather sacked the referee and replaced him midway through the clash.