A month in the past, the largest query surrounding Floyd Mayweather’s schedule was whether or not he may bodily match three main occasions into 4 months. Now there’s a rising likelihood all three by no means occur.
When World Boxing Information examined Mayweather’s reported plans in Could, the priority was timing.
Mike Tyson was already coping with a hand damage that pushed their proposed exhibition towards the autumn. Pacquiao was nonetheless awaiting a proper announcement regardless of Mayweather claiming a deal ought to be finalized inside days.
In the meantime, a summer season exhibition with Greek kickboxing star Mike Zambidis was approaching quickly.
The schedule regarded bold, however since then, it has grow to be way more sophisticated.
Zambidis First
Probably the most rapid concern surrounds Mayweather’s June 27 exhibition in Athens towards Zambidis.
The undefeated boxing legend is now coping with a number of authorized battles, together with a lawsuit filed by CSI Leisure involving proposed Tyson and Pacquiao occasions and a separate $175 million lawsuit Mayweather launched towards former associates.
Mayweather has additionally responded publicly to felony theft allegations in Nevada, dismissing the headlines as “free promotion.”
None of these issues have stopped the Athens occasion.
Nonetheless, if any authorized developments have an effect on Mayweather’s capability to journey internationally, the Zambidis exhibition turns into the primary casualty.
With the battle solely days away, it sits on the entrance of the road.
Pacquiao Nonetheless Ready
The proposed rematch with Pacquiao was already elevating eyebrows earlier than the most recent headlines arrived.
Mayweather said in Could that the battle ought to be finalized inside days after plans linked to Sphere in Las Vegas collapsed.
Weeks later, there’s nonetheless no official date, venue, press tour or promotional rollout.
The longer that continues, the harder it turns into to image a battle of that dimension happening inside the authentic timeframe.
Main occasions don’t often seem in a single day. Proper now, Pacquiao stays a speaking level somewhat than a confirmed battle.
The Tyson Downside
Then there’s Tyson. The previous heavyweight champion suffered a hand damage that delayed plans and pushed the exhibition towards the autumn.
Even earlier than that setback, Mayweather by no means appeared absolutely dedicated to selling the occasion.
Stories linking the pair to Africa and numerous dates continued to floor, however Mayweather not often spoke in regards to the battle publicly.
Tyson’s damage created one impediment, whereas the CSI lawsuit created one other.
Taken collectively, the Tyson exhibition now appears the least sure of the three occasions.
A month in the past, the problem was becoming Zambidis, Pacquiao and Tyson into the identical four-month window.
The calendar stays full.
Whether or not all three occasions survive lengthy sufficient to make it onto it’s turning into one other matter completely.
Concerning the Writer
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing Information (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of expertise. He has interviewed world champions, damaged worldwide exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Learn full bio.
