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Friday, March 29, 2024

Mayweather says no to Rio Olympics

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UNBEATEN former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr., who bagged a bronze medal at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996, will not be tempted by the lure of Olympic gold at the Rio games some four months from now.

Mayweather’s reaction was in stark contrast with eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao’s, as the Filipino ring icon revealed it would be an honor if he is chosen to fight for the Philippines in Rio.

Sky Sports in Britain reported that Mayweather has no plans to return to the ring after beating Pacquiao in their “Fight of the Century” last May, before easily handling Andre Berto in what turned out to be his last fight.

 Pacquiao, on the other hand, said he would set aside his decision to hang up his gloves after his third fight against Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley at the MGM Grand on April 9 if it means representing the country in its quest for an elusive Olympic gold medal.

Despite talk of a rematch with Pacquiao that is expected to draw huge pay-per-view numbers, Mayweather has repeatedly insisted he has no plans on making a comeback. 

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According to Sky Sports, the American made it clear a ring return was not on the cards.

“Absolutely not,” said Mayweather when asked about a possible Olympic stint. “For my body to recover from all my fights will be for the rest of my life. I’m truly blessed to have been fighting for so much of my life. I had a great run. Ain’t no more for this body to heal but rest,” said Mayweather.

He figures by the time he’d be ready to surpass Hall of Fame heavyweight legend Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 record, which he has equaled: “The only record in boxing I would be looking at is old age. I was able to retire from the sport with all my faculties. I did not let the sport retire me.” 

 

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