Floyd Mayweather hasn?t fought since a unanimous decision victory last year vs. Andre Berto, where he earned a minimum of $32 million. Though he said at the time (and for the most part ever since) that he would not fight again, there have been whispers here and there that he wants to return, particularly the silly fantasy matchup against UFC star Conor McGregor that reportedly could have made him as much as $144 million.
But Mayweather ? who earned a total of $700 million for his career ? recently said something that could make his fans imagine the possibility of the greatest fighter of his generation going for his 50th victory.
?For the right price,? Mayweather said, ?I may come back.?
It?s hard to tell whether he means it. Mayweather says he doesn?t need the money, but that might not be true of the fan adulation. He actually might need to hear the cheers one more time. Or he might want to beat Rocky Marciano?s 49-0 record once and for all (truth be told, it always felt a little strange to me that he was content in just tying Marciano?s undefeated mark). Or he might just be trying to continue to build recognition for his boxing promotion company. Or maybe he just likes seeing his name all over the internet.
?As of now, I?m happy with being retired,? Mayweather told the Los Angeles Times. ?A lot of fighters have to box. I don?t have to box. I don?t get the urge to go to the boxing gym. My urge is giving back to the sport now, helping [promote] the young fighters.
?People have to realize, when I look at my Uncle Roger [his former trainer, riddled with health issues] and even [Muhammad] Ali, boxing is wear and tear. And when I look at it, I?m really thankful I was a defensive fighter. I have all my faculties, a sharp mind, and I know who I am.?
