If the boxing superstar decides to end his most recent retirement, Floyd Mayweather is down to one final option.
The 43-year-old announced his decision to stick to exhibitions in 2020, months from declaring his interest in facing both Conor McGregor and Manny Pacquiao.
Either of those bouts is Mayweather’s only source of significant income from the sport. McGregor and Pacquiao are the only rivals in Mayweather’s range who can make him a nine-figure purse.
Dana White
But speaking to TMZ in an interview over the weekend, McGregor’s former boss Dana White says the Irishman is off the menu.
“No, no, no. I know he would rematch Conor McGregor. But I don’t know if you heard about this, but Conor McGregor’s retired,” White told TMZ.
“When I’m doing things right now and running a business, I don’t even think about Conor. Conor is retired.
“As of right here now today, Conor is retired until Conor tells me differently; I’m not trying to make any fights for Conor.
“He is retired right now. He’s not fighting. So, per my contract with fighters, I owe them three fights a year.
“If I do not deliver three fights a year, I have to pay them their money. Conor is retired,” he added.
Whether any collaboration with Mayweather is now dead in the water, the UFC boss stated: “Floyd and I still have dialogue and go back and forth. We’re still interested on both sides.”
White then went on to confirm an event was ‘very possible’ without going into any specifics.
Floyd Mayweather
It seems to be Japan or bust for the ‘Money’ man. He knows he can make up to and above ten million dollars an appearance over there.
Discussions are already underway with RIZIN, a company he appeared for back in 2018.
As for Pacquiao, the Filipino is now the only option left for Mayweather should a full professional return adding to his 50-0 record, ever come back to the table.
The last time they fought, Mayweather banked over $300 million. If they did it again, anytime over the next two or three years, the five-weight world champion could easily still pocket that magical nine-figure number.
WBN Editor Phil Jay has over ten years of boxing news experience. Follow WBN on Facebook @officialworldboxingnews and Twitter @worldboxingnews.
