You knew it wouldn't last, but Saturday afternoon, he made it official. At a press conference in Las Vegas, Floyd Mayweather Jr. announced he was coming out of retirement and will face lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
"When I made my decision to retire last year, I felt like it was time for me to go as I had been boxing my whole life and felt like I had done all that I could do," said Mayweather, a six-time titlist and 2007 Boxing Writers Association of America Fighter of the Year. "But after I had time to rest, enjoy life with my family and friends, I started to miss the competition and my fans. I am ready to return to boxing and give people another dose of the Mayweather experience."
The undefeated former welterweight champion retired sixteen months ago after he knocked out Ricky Hatton back in December 2007. Since then, Mayweather has kept a relatively low profile, popping up at the occasional fight and appearing in an AT&T commercial. That's a far cry from the boisterous and flamboyant persona that Mayweather carried into the ring (and out of it) and caused him to be one of the more polarizing figures in the sport.
But love him or hate him, there was no denying his uncanny skill set. Blinding speed, impenetrable defense and deceptive power led him to an unblemished record and several titles in multiple weight classes, which was why his announcement last year came as such a shock. After all, who leaves the sport while holding the position as the best fighter pound-for-pound?
"I retired from the sport, but it was as if I had never made an announcement," said Mayweather. "Fighters were constantly calling me out and fans would stop me all the time and ask me to make a return. It feels good to be back and trust me, I will deliver the same electrifying performances I always have throughout my career."
Mayweather returns to the sport, but finds the adulation and respect he once enjoyed now being directed toward the Filipino sensation that is Manny Pacquiao. The drum has already begun to beat for a battle between the two. A fight of that magnitude simply has to be made.
But Mayweather has his hands full in July. Marquez is a dangerous five-time world champion and considered by many to hold the number two spot on the mythical pound-for-pound list. The Mexican superstar made it clear after his thrilling victory over Juan Diaz that he wanted a fight with Mayweather. Few thought that much would come of it.
"I am not wasting any time with a tune-up fight," boasted Mayweather. "I'm going straight to the top. Marquez called me out immediately after his victory over Juan Diaz in February and now he gets his wish. What he is going to find out is that you should be very careful what you wish for."
Ah, it's good to have Mayweather back, isn't it?