Cliff Owen/Associated Press

Floyd Mayweather Comments on Potential Return to Boxing in Jim Gray Interview

Alec Nathan

Floyd Mayweather Jr. hasn't stepped in a ring since defeating Andre Berto by unanimous decision in September, but he entertained the prospect of a comeback Saturday evening during an interview with Showtime's Jim Gray.

Speaking prior to a card headlined by Lucian Bute and Badou Jack—which ended in a controversial draw, according to ESPN.com's Dan Rafael—Mayweather explained he would need to be paid in excess of $100 million to return, per Showtime Sports:

And even though Mayweather reiterated he's happy in retirement, he didn't dispel the possibility of returning with a chance to capture win No. 50, according to Yahoo Sports' Kevin Iole

Yes, I'm happy to be where I'm at. Everyone is asking, asking me, 'Is Floyd Mayweather coming back?' Right now, I'm happy on this side [of the ropes], but I've been talking with CBS and Showtime and you just never know. But for now, I'm happy on this side.

As of right now, you know, some crazy numbers have been thrown my way, upwards of, of course, nine figures. I'm truly blessed, way beyond belief. I don't know what we're going to do, but right now, I'm happy being on this side helping fighters.

Beyond the gaudy financial parameters Mayweather outlined, the former welterweight titleholder would need to find a worthy opponent.

However, Gray had one in mind when he suggested that Money duke it out with 28-year-old Danny Garcia (32-0), who's now the proprietor of the WBC welterweight title belt.

"Danny Garcia, another name, undefeated prospect, undefeated champion in two different weight classes," Mayweather said, per Iole. "Very exciting fighter. You just never know."

Mayweather added that he has no desire to fight knockout machine Gennady Golovkin (35-0, 32 KOs) since he wouldn't be able to make a higher weight.

Iole also noted the topic of a potential rematch with Manny Pacquiao—who recently defeated Timothy Bradley Jr. by unanimous decision in their third showdown—was not broached Saturday night.   

Should Mayweather return to the ring at some point in the not-so-distant future, fans will likely be pining for him to square off against an exciting young challenger who can go full bore against the sport's former pound-for-pound champion.

Money's last two fights against Pacquiao and Berto were relative snoozers, so it would be disappointing to watch him return to the ring one more time for an easy 50th win just to capitalize on a nine-figure payday.

   

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