Retirement isn't a permanent thing in the world of sports. We've seen it before (Bret Favre, Michael Jordan, Lance Armstrong...).
So it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that another great is planning a return to his art after a mere 1 year retirement hiatus.
Former welterweight boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. returns to the ring in July for the first time since December 2007 when he knocked out Ricky Hatton, according to ESPN.
Mayweather (39-0) announced at a press conference today that he will fight lightweight champ Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1) on July 18 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The winner of the Mayweather-Marquez fight will challenge the winner of tonight's Hatton-Pacquiao matchup later this summer.
"I'm the king," 32-year-old Mayweather said in an interview with The Guardian. "I left on top, I'm coming back on top. Nobody has taken my throne. Tonight [in the fight between Hatton and Pacquiao] any man can win but, when you bet on Floyd Mayweather, it's a sure win. Keep your money under the mattress until 18 July."
According to ESPN, Mayweather began training a few months ago in a Las Vegas gym, bringing up whispers of his return.
The fight was delayed after discrepencies arose over the weight that the match would be fought at. Marquez, coming up from 135-lbs. where he is champion, wanted the weight as low as possible, while Mayweather insisted on a 145-lb. limit. The final weight of 144-lbs. was decided after a six-hour deal.
"Pretty Boy" Mayweather's fans are already a-buzzin' on the boxer's fansite. Check out the comments, links to other articles and Mayweather's bio here.
*Photo: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images
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