If cryptic Instagram posts are anything to go by, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is back baby! The short and sweet post that read “Coming out of retirement in 2020” sent the world buzzing.
As it should. “Money Mayweather” (50-0) is still money at the box office, and could still out outdraw any boxer fighting today, including Canelo Alvarez.
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We should all be excited that an all-time great return to the sport, right? Well, Floyd is turning 43 in February and hasn’t been in a real boxing match since 2015. Just last week, he told Reuters that he was finished with the “brutal sport of boxing.” This comeback is clearly not just about money. He has plenty of it. So why is he unretiring for the second time instead of shopping for a Tesla Cybertruck? Your guess is as good as ours.
The good news is that Mayweather looks to be in tip-top shape. The question then is he returning to actual boxing or just to sell tickets to an exhibition with the next MMA star. We’ve compiled five opponents we would love to see Floyd fight before he hangs it up, again.
Khabib Nurmagomedov
To be honest, there really isn’t anything left for Mayweather to do in a boxing ring. He’s defeated the biggest names and draws in the game (Canelo and Manny Pacquiao) so why risk coming back to face someone younger in their prime who could blemish his undefeated record. A more logical opponent would be another UFC star. Khabib Numagomedov is best known for two things: being a ruthless annihilator in the octagon and his giant sheepskin hat that looks like a white afro wig.
Neither man has taken an “L” in his career and Floyd’s comeback is working in coordination with the UFC so don’t be surprised if we see “The Eagle” soaring into a professional boxing ring.
Amir Khan
This would be “easy money” for Floyd. Sure, Mayweather-Khan might not set the boxing world on fire but it makes a lot of sense. Khan (34-5) is still a major draw in his native UK and he doesn’t pose a serious threat in beating “Money.” Plus, it dips into some unfinished business as the two were slated to fight in 2011. Khan is still only 32, despite being in boxing purgatory after getting embarrassed by “Bud” Crawford and demolished by Canelo. Khan hasn’t lost his charm and wouldn’t certainly “sell” a fight where an upset would kick his stalled career into overdrive.
Adrien Broner
Similar to Khan, Adrien Broner (33-4-1) is in a rut when he should be at his best. Before Gervonta Davis, the 30-year-old Cincinnati-native was famously Floyd’s “chosen one.” The two had a falling out so what better way to settle differences than with two pairs of boxing gloves and a ring. A master vs. pupil build-up would be a lot of fun, and after old man Pacquiao manhandled Broner this past January, Floyd has to like his chances.
Manny Pacquiao
It’s been four years since Mayweather vs. Pacquiao? We don’t remember much about the underwhelming super-fight other than we felt cheated. A second helping against the Filipino Senator (62-7-2) would probably bring the biggest payday which is why it’s currently the Vegas favorite for Floyd’s ring return.
Two all-time greats going at it again sounds fun, but their first fight was already past its expiration date. Pacquiao proved in his last fight the much younger Keith Thurman that he’s got a lot left in the tank so maybe he could bring the best out of his old nemesis as well.
Terence Crawford
Nobody has quite been able to fill the void since Floyd retired, but Terence Crawford (35-0) has done a remarkable job trying. The 32-year-old has shown flashes of “Money” Mayweather’s defensive brilliance and “Pretty Boy” Floyd’s offensive malice. He’s lacking two things needed to be the next American boxing superstar: a signature win and mainstream success. Beating Floyd Mayweather would easily resolve both of those issues. Floyd’s a gambling man, and there’s no better high-stakes wager than fighting “Bud” Crawford. This is probably the riskest fight for Floyd which is why Vegas didn’t even have Crawford listed as an opponent but we would definitely pay to watch it.
