Floyd Mayweather Jr. said he was going to retire after his September win over Andre Berto, but there are increasing signs that he is considering a return to the sport.
For starters, Mayweather helped promote a boxing card in Washington D.C. on Saturday night and said during an interview with Showtime’s Jim Gray that he has been talking with CBS and Showtime and “you never know.” He also said he would have to be paid “upwards of nine figures.”
.@floydmayweather would need a 9-figure fight to consider a comeback. #JackBute #Boxing https://t.co/E11BEX33Fs
— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) May 1, 2016
In addition to openly acknowledging that he’s had talks about another fight, ESPN reports that Mayweather’s company filed for trademarks for “TMT 50” and “TBE 50.” Both are acronyms related to his boxing — TMT is “The Money Team,” which is Mayweather’s brand, while TBE stands for “the best ever.” 50 also would be Mayweather’s 50th career fight as he is currently 49-0.
If Mayweather does return for a 50th fight (or more), it would be his second time resuming his career after a retirement announcement. This would make Floyd very similar to Michael Jordan, who also came out of retirement twice. Perhaps the two should learn the difference between the word “retirement” and “hiatus.” Unless, that is, saying he is “retired” is a negotiating ploy intended to make networks pay more money to bring him back to the ring. If that’s the case, then has figured out a way to game the system.
