Los Angeles: Floyd Mayweather Jr is officially coming out of retirement, announcing Friday that he will return to professional boxing this summer for his first sanctioned bout in nine years.

The unbeaten former five-division champion, who celebrates his 49th birthday this Tuesday, has not competed in a professional match since his 2017 victory over MMA star Conor McGregor. That win moved his record to a perfect 50-0 and marked the third time he declared himself retired. While he has since participated in a string of lucrative exhibitions against influencers and MMA fighters, this move signals a formal return to the professional ranks under a new promotional agreement with CSI Sports/Fight Sports.

"I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing," Mayweather said in a statement. "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 Road Back to Pro

Before his professional return this summer, Mayweather is slated to face 59-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in a spring exhibition. While an official venue and broadcaster have yet to be finalised, the "Money May" camp expects the event to bridge the gap back to full-speed competition.

Mayweather’s decision follows a career defined by massive pay-per-view numbers and his 2015 "Fight of the Century" against Manny Pacquiao. However, his return also comes amid a flurry of personal legal and financial battles.

Legal and Financial Headwinds

Earlier this year, the boxer filed a lawsuit against Showtime Networks and its former sports president, Stephen Espinoza, seeking more than $300 million. The suit alleges the network failed to protect him from the financial maneuvers of his longtime advisor, Al Haymon.

In addition to the Showtime dispute, Mayweather is currently facing:

  • Rental Dispute: A lawsuit over alleged unpaid rent for a Manhattan apartment.
  • Jewellery Litigation: Ongoing financial disagreements with at least two high-profile jewellers.

The Pacquiao Comparison

Mayweather’s comeback mirrors that of his longtime rival Manny Pacquiao. The 47-year-old Filipino icon, who ended his own retirement last year, is currently scheduled to face Ruslan Provodnikov in Las Vegas on April 18.

Critics suggest the return of both legends may be driven as much by financial necessity as by a desire for competition. For Mayweather, the upcoming professional bout will be the ultimate test of whether his legendary defensive reflexes remain intact after nearly a decade away from sanctioned fighting.

With inputs from AP