Floyd Mayweather will earn ‘millions for an exhibition’ just like Muhammad Ali did, as ex-sparring partner backs return
FLOYD MAYWEATHER will earn ‘millions for an exhibition’ just like Muhammad Ali – as his ex-sparring partner backed the comeback fight.
Mayweather announced he will return to the ring next February for another exhibition bout in Japan.
He made £7million there in 2018 for beating featherweight kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa.
And Ashley Theophane – who Mayweather promoted and trained alongside – was full of praise for the ring return, which is sure to be lucrative.
Theophane, 40, told SunSport: “Floyd loves the limelight.
“Making millions for an exhibition. I don’t really blame him. I think most people would do it if they could.
“Muhammad Ali did it many decades ago. So did Jack Johnson and Joe Louis.
“It’s always been going on. Now it’s popular again.”
Heavyweight icon Ali famously took on WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki in a farcical exhibition in 1976.
Inoki fought solely on the floor and battered Ali’s legs with kicks, as ‘The Greatest’ barely threw a punch.
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Mayweather’s win over Nasukawa two years ago was far more conclusive, as he dropped the boxing debutant three times before the mismatch was over.
The 43-year-old will return to the Far East to feature on MMA event ‘Mega 2021’ held at the Tokyo Dome.
Mayweather said: “I just look forward to coming over there and entertaining the people.
“Tokyo is a great place and of course they’ve got so many great fighters in Tokyo as far as the MMA world and boxing world.
“I don’t know who you guys have got in store for me but I look forward to coming over and just having some fun and entertaining the people.”
SunSport exclusively revealed in July that Mayweather was in talks for a comeback fight in Japan.
But amid the coronavirus pandemic, he was unable to travel over.
Mayweather confirmed that in his press conference, adding he also planned to train in Tokyo.
The retired legend has spent the year training and coaching in his Las Vegas gym, fuelling speculation of a comeback fight.
Mayweather officially hung up his gloves as a professional in 2017 after beating UFC star Conor McGregor in round ten.
