Floyd Mayweather Jr. said initially following his unanimous decision victory over Manny Pacquiao that he would relinquish all his belts the following Monday; that didn’t happen, but now the five-division world champion has an explanation.
The 38-year-old superstar is throwing his behind 25-year old Errol Spence Jr. (17-0, 14 KO’s), who fought on the undercard of Saturday’s Premier Boxing Champions card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, which was promoted by Mayweather Promotions.
Mayweather has stated previously that his final fight in September would not be a title fight, naming Andre Berto and Karim Mayfield as potential opponents.
Many in the boxing world still think Mayweather is being sarcastic, but now it could make more sense, as the undisputed pound-for-pound star revealed some juicy details last Saturday night in a video obtained from Tha Boxing Voice, with Mayweather responding to ESPN’s Dan Rafael.
“Once again, I haven’t relinquished the belts, yet. I haven’t even received my WBO title yet. I have to receive it to relinquish it,” Mayweather said. “But, I may not want to relinquish my WBO [belt], I may want to relinquish every other belt ([WBA/WBC 154 lb. titles], we just don’t know.”
Mayweather again repeated that he would vacate a title, but he’s not sure which one yet. However, if he chooses to vacate the WBO belt, he has a great offer for two fighters; one who’s looking to add another title in his arsenal, and another who’s looking to regain world title status.
“In September, Shawn Porter, Keith Thurman; I will relinquish my titles, but I don’t know which one. One of them must face Errol Spence (who was standing to Mayweather’s right) for the belt,” he added.
Rafael asked Mayweather for which belt, but again, Mayweather was forthright.
“We don’t know. We’re going to have to sit down, negotiate, talk as one team, because we can make the fight happen for a title.
“[Pointing to Spence] This is the guy they are going to face. They’re not going to face Floyd Mayweather. I know you’ve been doing your homework. The two names that’s out there that I’m going to fight, I’m either going to fight Karim Mayfield or Andre Berto in September.”
When Rafael asked if he was serious, Mayweather asked if he questioned Pacquiao’s selection of former light-welterweight titlist Chris Algieri as an opponent in 2014.
When Rafael responded “Yes,” Mayweather looked him right in the eye and said, “Well guess what? Sh** happens.”
Mayweather is hanging up the gloves just when the welterweight division is starting to get hot, like in 2007.
Roger Mayweather, Floyd’s uncle and co-trainer has stated recently that his nephew would not enjoy retirement.
Could Mayweather make a comeback down the road?
