Boxing Apr 17, 2026

Floyd Mayweather to have exhibition against kickboxer Mike Zambidis in Athens before Manny Pacquiao rematch in September

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Floyd Mayweather to have exhibition against kickboxer Mike Zambidis in Athens before Manny Pacquiao rematch in September

Floyd Mayweather will have an exhibition bout before he fights old rival Manny Pacquiao later this year.

The American superstar, who retired from professional boxing after beating UFC fighter Conor McGregor in 2017, will take part in an exhibition against kickboxer Mike Zambidis in June in Athens.

"2026 is already shaping up to be an exciting year for me," Mayweather said. "Europe, I'm on the way to entertain."

Zambidis is a 45-year-old who ended his kickboxing career over 10 years ago. He had a one-off boxing bout in 2019.

Mayweather, now 49, will end his boxing retirement when he returns to the licenced sport to rematch Pacquiao in September in Las Vegas.

This will be his fourth return from retirement having previously called time on his career in 2007, 2015 and 2017.

His first fight with Pacquiao was hugely anticipated though underwhelmed as a contest. Nonetheless, it would become the richest fight the sport has witnessed by setting records for gate (ÂŁ53.1m) and pay-per-view sales (4.6m), and will once more draw the eyes of the world when the two clash again at the Sphere in Las Vegas on September 19, 11 years on from their first encounter.

Tags:

boxing news

Share this article

Related Posts

Chris Billam-Smith: Former cruiserweight world champion targets future fight with Jai Opetaia after signing with Zuffa Boxing

Chris Billam-Smith: Former cruiserweight world champion targets future fight with Jai Opetaia after signing with Zuffa Boxing

Chris Billam-Smith is targeting a fight with Jai Opetaia to prove he is "the best in the world" after signing with Zuffa Boxing and will now fight liv...

Chris Billam-Smith signs with Zuffa Boxing and will fight on Sky Sports | 'This is about proving I am the best in the world'

Chris Billam-Smith signs with Zuffa Boxing and will fight on Sky Sports | 'This is about proving I am the best in the world'

Cruiserweight star Chris Billam-Smith has signed with new promotional powerhouse Zuffa Boxing and will fight live on Your Site.Billam-Smith has signed...

Mikaela Mayer: People feel they have the right to talk trash to you. It can feel like the world hates you

Mikaela Mayer: People feel they have the right to talk trash to you. It can feel like the world hates you

“Boxing is unique in a way that there’s a lot of trash talk and then we go in the ring and we punch each other in the face.”Mikaela Mayer might curren...

Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions set to offer opponent to Katie Taylor for final career fight at Croke Park

Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions set to offer opponent to Katie Taylor for final career fight at Croke Park

Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions could provide the opponent for Katie Taylor’s final career fight at Croke Park in Dublin.Most Valuable Promotions...

Chris Billam-Smith: Former cruiserweight world champion targets future fight with Jai Opetaia after signing with Zuffa Boxing

Chris Billam-Smith: Former cruiserweight world champion targets future fight with Jai Opetaia after signing with Zuffa Boxing

Chris Billam-Smith is targeting a fight with Jai Opetaia to prove he is "the best in the world" after signing with Zuffa Boxing and will now fight liv...

Tyson Fury laid a big fight trap but Anthony Joshua saw it coming as British rivals deliver more deja vu

Tyson Fury laid a big fight trap but Anthony Joshua saw it coming as British rivals deliver more deja vu

If there was anything to typify Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury's long-winding rivalry, it was this. A quintessential scene of 'will they, won't they' a...