Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr wants an exhibition fight in India in 2024
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is on his first trip to the country and visited popular tourist attractions such as Siddhivinayak Temple and Gateway of India.
New Delhi: Professional boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr said on Monday he would like to take part in an exhibition fight in India this year and the possibility of an opponent from the host country cannot be ruled out. The 47-year-old former boxing champion boasts a perfect 50-0 record in the professional circuit, including 27 knockouts.
“It is possible. I am looking forward to having an exhibition here in 2024. We are looking for a solid name as a solid opponent,” Mayweather told PTI by phone from Mumbai. “I am pretty sure I have the right opponent. It’s about taking things to the next level, with all the great people here anything is possible,” he added.
When asked if he would be open to a challenger from India, Mayweather replied in the affirmative. “I have a team, they take their time, do their homework and choose the best opponent. We don’t know who the opponent will be, maybe he will be from India, or America, Great Britain or maybe he will be from Japan. We just want to put on a show for the people.”
The American boxer, who has 15 major World Championship titles to his name, retired in 2017 but has since competed in several exhibition matches. Before ruling the professional circuit, Mayweather enjoyed a successful stint in amateur boxing, winning a bronze medal in the featherweight division at the 1996 Olympics and three U.S. Golden Gloves championships.
He called for the return of the headgear in men’s amateur boxing, which was scrapped by the amateur boxing governing body in 2019. “I would like to see boys wearing headgear in amateur boxing. We must protect these fighters.
“Without headgear, you see a lot of eyes get cut, you see a lot of scar tissue and when these young fighters turn pro, they’re all already bruised,” he said. Mayweather said young boxers, who are left battered and bruised by the lack of headgear, need to be protected.
“I really feel that myself and the boxing world need to stand up for what is right and protect these young fighters. When they become professional, there is often so much wear and tear without headgear. I had such a remarkable career because I wore a headgear. Headgear protects the fighters,” he said.
He is on his first trip to the country and is visiting popular tourist attractions such as Siddhivinayak Temple and Gateway of India. Mayweather has teamed up with Jas Mathur of Limitless X. The trip marks the expansion of the Limitless
“I always preach about this. Health is your real world. I have spoken about this repeatedly. I want people from all over the world to make sure they are exercising. Sometimes you don’t get all the nutrients, that’s when we take action and make sure people get what they need,” he said.