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Floyd Mayweather ‘Axes’ Comeback Plans after Personal Tragedies
By Glen James Mar 26, 2020 OpinionRetired Floyd Mayweather Jr has reportedly canceled another proposed comeback to the ring after recent personal issues.There are some things money can’t buy. Some circumstances just can’t be helped no matter how far the funds go or how deep the pockets are.
Floyd Mayweather Jr, the man simply known as ‘Money’ during the later stages of his illustrious professional career, is the biggest financial earner prize-fighting has ever known and one of the highest paid athletes in history.
The American officially retired back in September 2015 but returned briefly for a hugely lucrative cash-grab meeting with UFC star Conor McGregor two years later, before once again hanging up his gloves on the back of another record-high payday.
Since then, as always, Mayweather has remained in the headlines and continued to push the narrative for yet another return to the ring at some stage throughout the course of 2020.
The undefeated five-division world champion teased that he was in serious talks with UFC president Dana White regarding a comeback involving his newly established Zuffa Boxing and Mayweather Promotions.
“Dana White and I working together again to bring the world another spectacular event in 2020,” Mayweather stated online last year.
Another crossover clash with dominant UFC lightweight kingpin Khabib Nurmagomedov has previously been mentioned, while a rematch against Ireland’s ‘Notorious’ McGregor was also touted along the way.
A repeat of the highest-grossing bout in boxing history against Manny Pacquiao was another match-up tipped for some time, in which Betfair make Mayweather the odds-on 1/2* favourite to prevail in if it were ever to take place.
But any potential return to the squared-circle, no matter how serious the hints actually were to begin with, have now been shelved in light of sad personal tragedies for the 50-0 boxing legend.
Ring return shelved following family sorrows
Mayweather was hit with a double blow across the space of just eight days recently in his personal life, leading to him reportedly shutting down any potential return to the ring this year.
First off, Josie Harris, the mother of his children tragically passed away at the age of just 40.
Then just over a week later, his uncle Roger Mayweather, a former two-weight world champion and esteemed boxing trainer, also died aged 58.
‘The Black Mamba’ was in Mayweather Jr’s corner for many of his biggest career fights, imparting a wealth of knowledge to his nephew and to everyone involved at their gym in America.
In light of the saddening family news, Mayweather posted an emotional tribute to his uncle, stating: “My uncle was one of the most important people in my life inside and outside of the ring.
“Roger was a great champion and one of the best trainers in boxing. Unfortunately, his health was failing him for several years and now he can finally rest in peace.”
As a result of the unbeaten fighter’s recent family bereavements, Mayweather has reportedly told those close to him that another comeback is now off the table for 2020.
It’s believed that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has also had an impact on his decision to remain retired for good this time around.
Health is wealth
Mayweather did also step into the ring for a farcical showcase exhibition clash with Japanese kickboxing sensation Tenshin Nasukawa to round of 2018, earning a bizarre first-round stoppage success against the much smaller opponent in Tokyo.
But, while the Michigan-born combatant constantly outlined intentions of another bout at some stage, he was also recorded writing off such claims, subsequently keeping fans guessing.
“I’ve got calls to get back into the ring, but my health is my wealth,” Mayweather admitted back in November last year.
“Boxing is a very, very brutal sport. In the last few years a lot of fighters have died inside that squared circle.”
It now looks likely that Mayweather will now avoid the temptation of returning to the ring for further financial gains.
That may be the wise choice given the defensive great is now 43 years of age and has not been in a genuine competitive prize-fight for nearly half a decade.
There’s also no need for it. Mayweather’s legacy is cemented and the history books will always remember his feats, having been the best fighter of his generation.
*odds correct at time of writing
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