Floyd Mayweather opens door for comeback, says he had talks with Showtime
Media members and fans alike have expected Floyd Mayweather to end his retirement all along.
For the first time since his final (at least for now) bout in September, the future Hall of Famer opened the door for a comeback.
He was ringside in Washington, D.C., on Saturday to promote the Badou Jack-Lucian Bute title fight on Showtime, and when Jim Gray caught up with him, "Money" couldn't wipe the smile from his face.
"Everyone is asking me, 'Is Floyd Mayweather coming back?' he said. "Right now, I'm happy being on (the promotional) side, but I've been talking with CBS and Showtime, and you just never know. But right now, I'm just happy on this side.
"As of right now, some crazy numbers have been thrown my way - upwards, of course, of nine figures. "But I'm truly blessed beyond belief, and I really don't know what we're going to do. But right now, I'm really happy being on this side helping fighters."
So is he returning? The former five-division champion said he would only come back for "a nine-figure payday" and "probably a championship fight." He made over $350 million for his mega fight with Manny Pacquiao in May and his record stands at 49-0.
The 39-year-old admitted he wants to reach 50-0, a record that would top Rocky Marciano's hallowed mark. But if Floyd does return, don't expect him to mix it up with the one guy everyone wants to see him against: Gennady Golovkin, who has repeatedly said he would move down to 154 pounds for the matchup.
"GGG, I think that it's best that he goes up and fights Andre Ward," Mayweather said. "I think that'd be a good fight for GGG. Andre Ward, that's a good matchup. How can Floyd Mayweather fight at 160 (pounds) when I could never even make 154?
"Danny Garcia, another name. Undefeated prospect - undefeated champion in two different weight classes. Very exciting fighter. You just never know."
Mayweather said he wouldn't be keen on fighting the winner of the June 25 bout between Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter. If Mayweather does fight in September, Garcia is the likely opponent.
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)