Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather has hit back at critics after it was announced that heâll return to the ring for an exhibition match on May 14.
For years now Floyd Mayweather has been able to maintain an aura of importance over the boxing world despite not being an active professional. âMoneyâ is considered by many to be one of the greatest boxers of all-time and with a 50-0 unbeaten record, itâs certainly hard to argue with such a theory.
Since his last pro bout, Mayweather has combined coaching and promoting with some exhibition contests around the globe. From Tenshin Nasukawa to Logan Paul and beyond, Mayweather isnât afraid to step outside the norm and explore new options in the boxing space.
In the latest example of this, heâll meet long-time sparring partner âDangerousâ Don Moore in Dubai on a card that will feature Anderson Silva vs Bruno Machado. Oh, and itâll take place on a helipad at the top of the Burj Al Arab Hotel.
However, that kind of thinking isnât always welcomed by hardcore fans who have followed his career for years.
In the face of such criticism, Mayweather released the following video highlighting why he thinks heâs receiving this kind of hate.
âYou know they upset. They upset because Iâm able to milk the game, Iâve kept all my faculties, made a lot of smart investments. So you know when great people like Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, the people that own Walmart, Walgreens, when theyâre getting money in their 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and even 90s, itâs okay.â
âA young kid like myself from the inner city, from the ghetto, I worked my way to the top. I was able to leave boxing on my own terms, keep all my faculties, and kept a lot of my money. So, theyâre upset that Iâm able to go out there and continue to make 40 or 50 to 60 million. You canât get mad. Yo listen, this is what God wanted.â
When was Mayweatherâs last pro fight?
In August 2017, Floyd Mayweather faced Conor McGregor in what many consider to be the biggest crossover fight in the history of combat sports. The numbers alone indicate that the event was a resounding success, with a 10th round stoppage win handing Floyd his 50th victory as a pro.
Will he ever return for fight number 51? At 45 years old itâs unlikely, but never say never.