Floyd Mayweather on joining the Olympics: ‘Absolutely not’

MANILA, Philippines – Floyd Mayweather Jr says he isn’t interested in coming out of retirement, not even for a chance to win Olympic gold. 

The 39-year-old former boxer tells SkySports that AIBA’s recent proposal to allow pro boxers to compete in the 2016 Olympics won’t convince him to get back in the ring.

“Absolutely not,” said Mayweather, who settled for a bronze medal while representing the United States at the 1996 Games. 

“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.”

This comes on the heels of Manny Pacquiao’s announcement that he would come out of retirement after his fight with Timothy Bradley Jr next month if he could fight at the Rio Games. Pacquiao has been “personally invited” by AIBA president Wu Ching-Kuo for a wild card entry to the Olympic competition.

While Pacquiao would be trying to earn the Philippines its first ever Olympic gold, the United States is in its own boxing slump at the Olympiad, having not won a single medal at the 2012 Games and not earning a gold since Andre Ward won in 2004.

Mayweather (49-0, 28 KOs) announced he was done fighting after his September 2015 decision win over Andre Berto. Many remain skeptical as he has retired from the sport in the past only to return, and the temptation to try and surpass the 49-0 mark of Rocky Marciano looms great.

But Mayweather remains steadfast in his retirement.

“The only record in boxing I would be looking at is old age.

“I had a great run. Ain’t no more for this body to heal but rest.” – Rappler.com