Floyd Mayweather Jr. is adamant Saturday’s match against Conor McGregor was the last time he’ll compete inside the ring.
Ever since talks of Mayweather-McGregor began over a year ago, “Money” always said he’d only come out of retirement, which started after dominant win over Andre Berto in September 2015, for the megafight against McGregor, the UFC lightweight champion — nothing else.
Now that Mayweather-McGregor is said and done — and that Mayweather made history by extending his pro boxing record to 50-0 — it’s time for Mayweather, 40, to move on (again).
“This was my last fight tonight, ladies and gentlemen,” Mayweather said in his post-fight interview. “My last fight. For sure. Tonight I chose the right dance partner to dance with.”
At the event’s post-fight press conference, Ray Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, reiterated what Mayweather said regarding returning to retirement.
“Floyd’s not looking to box anymore. This was it,” Ellerbe said. “He’s had a phenomenal career; I can’t say enough of that. There’s nothing else to accomplish. He’s broke all the records, done everything. Leave that up to the young guys now. He’s passing the torch on. He’s looking to move onto the next phase of his life, and I’m very happy for him.”
Mayweather defeated McGregor by 10th-round TKO in the highly-anticipated, long-awaited “Money Fight.” The former boxing champ started slowly, as McGregor took the first three rounds on most watchers’ scorecards, but gained momentum in the later rounds. Mayweather dominated the Irishman in the ninth round, particularly, and forced a stoppage just a minute into round 10.
Mayweather vs. McGregor took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.