By Robert Jackson: As most boxing fans now know Floyd Mayweather Jr. announced his retirement in early June 2008. Before speculating on when “Money May” will return, one must speculate on why he left in the first place. Rumors abound that Floyd was disgusted with direction that the negotiations with GBP were taking in regards to the proposed September rematch with Oscar De La Hoya. The rematch scheduled for September 20th 2008 was to be fought for the lineal & Ring 147lb titles. Trouble was brewing when De La Hoya in an attempt to stay active in 2008 barely made the 150lb catch-weight for his tuneup match against Steve “2-Pounds” Forbes.
This trouble was further exacerbated when natural 130lber-Forbes even while losing administered out a “pumpkin head” to de La Hoya. All of the advantages De La Hoya felt he would have by staying active went down the drain during and after the Forbes fight.
Scuttlebutt followed saying that Floyd’s demand for a 50/50 split with Oscar was denied by GBP who also offered a 150lb catch-weight turning a 147lb title fight into a non-title affair. One could also speculate that the Reyes Gloves and ring size issue also re-entered into the negotiations, because while using Grant Gloves Floyd was able to KO the durable Ricky Hatton in a fairly large ring, sparing his tender hands injury.
Recent rumors of mid June 2008 have “Money May” signing a lucrative contract with the UFC to become an MMA fighter, these rumors have since been debunked and denied by UFC President Dana White. Floyd’s own retirement statement left many questions unanswered as to why he would leave at such a crucial time for the ‘state of boxing’ and his own legacy.
Rumors aside, I say Floyd Mayweather left for a combination of reasons the foremost being that he’s a smart businessman who has made more money recently than anybody not named De La Hoya, so he can afford to retire. Floyd also took a calculated risk by retiring leaving Oscar De La Hoya no viable fight options for the September 2008 date previously reserved for the PBF/De La Hoya rematch (this speculation has bore fruit since that September fight date for De La Hoya has been pushed back to December 2008), and as of this date De La Hoya has not named whom he will fight in December though it is rumored he’s pursued Sergio Mora, and Felix Trinidad recently while turning down Paul Williams. Another reason Floyd may have left is by doing so Mayweather ‘files under the radar’ of his critics and naysayers, giving him air to breathe, perform duties as a father and son, follow up on other economic opportunities and get some R&R to replenish his deteriorating hands, shoulders and back.
With all of the speculation and rumor out of the way I will now tell you when Floyd Mayweather will return. Money May will return when the $$$ are big enough and the challenge is formidable enough where his critics and naysayers believe that he’ll be facing a challenge where he cannot win. The chatter is building where many believe he’s afraid of Cotto, Margarito, and Williams (and maybe Andre Berto), when one of these top dogs establishes himself as the man to beat Mayweather will emerge refreshed from retirement to notch his 40th victory onto his belt and ride off into the sunset.