“I Still Have What It Takes”
“I Still Have What It Takes”: Floyd Mayweather Jr. Announces Professional Return Following Mike Tyson Exhibition
LAS VEGAS — The "Money" era is officially back in session. Following years of lucrative exhibition matches and a definitive retirement in 2017, Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. has stunned the sports world by announcing a formal return to professional boxing.
The undefeated legend, who celebrates his 49th birthday tomorrow, confirmed that he will end his retirement this summer. The move will follow a highly anticipated exhibition bout against former heavyweight king Mike Tyson, currently scheduled for 25th April 2026, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A Bridge to the Pros
In a statement released via CSI Sports/FIGHT SPORTS, Mayweather made it clear that the upcoming clash with Tyson is more than just a nostalgia trip—it is a training camp for a full-scale professional comeback.
“I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing,” Mayweather said. “From my upcoming Mike Tyson event to my next professional fight afterwards, no one will generate a bigger gate, have a larger global broadcast audience, and generate more money with each event than my events.”
The announcement marks a significant pivot for the 50-0 fighter, who hasn't participated in a sanctioned professional bout since his 10th-round TKO of Conor McGregor nearly nine years ago.
The "Rumble" in the Congo
The exhibition against the 59-year-old Tyson serves as the centerpiece of this "Phase Two" launch. To be held in the same country that hosted the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” in 1974, the event is being billed as a "Legend vs. Legend" spectacle. While technically an exhibition, promoters suggest both fighters are approaching the eight-round contest with professional intensity.
CSI Sports co-founders Richard and Craig Miele confirmed they have signed Mayweather to an exclusive promotional deal that will guide his return to the professional ranks immediately following the Tyson match.
A Rematch of the Century?
The timing of Mayweather’s un-retirement has immediately reignited rumors of a second chapter to the most financially successful fight in history. With Manny Pacquiao also recently returning to the professional ranks, analysts suggest a Mayweather-Pacquiao II is not just possible, but likely.
Pacquiao, who last year went the distance in a high-profile sanctioned bout against Mario Barrios, has remained vocal about wanting to avenge his 2015 loss to Mayweather. A rematch would potentially offer Mayweather a path to breaking Pacquiao’s own record as the oldest welterweight champion in boxing history.
The Motivation Behind the Return
While Mayweather cites a desire to "set more records," industry insiders point to a more complex landscape. The announcement arrives amidst a flurry of reports regarding Mayweather’s personal finances and a recent $340 million lawsuit (approx £270 million pounds sterling) he filed against former partner Showtime, alleging misappropriated funds from previous fight purses.
Regardless of the motive, the return of the sport's greatest defensive technician to the 147-pound division creates an immediate seismic shift in the boxing landscape. Mayweather’s first professional opponent for his summer return has not yet been named, but the boxing world is already bracing for the inevitable "Money" storm.
