Written by Don’t expect Floyd Mayweather to take any risks in his exhibition career.
The 45-year-old Hall of Famer, who will face Aaron Chalmers on pay-per-view Saturday at O2 Arena in London, made it clear he has no desire to face the bigger Jake Paul in a sanctioned bout or meet Manny Pacquiao a second time in an exhibition.
He wants to entertain fans while maintaining his good health.
“If I was taking brutal punishment, I couldn’t do it anymore,” he said at a news conference Wednesday in London. “My career was great because of my defense. My faculties were important to me.
“I retired from the sport and I didn’t let the sport retire me.”
Jake Paul?
“We spoke to Jake Paul before and we can only do it an exhibition because of the weight disadvantage,” Mayweather said. “I’m not chasing it anymore. I have accomplished everything I could in boxing.
“We have so many young fighters in boxing today. Give them a chance to go out there so they can shine?
Pacquiao?
“We had a chance to do it when it really counted, for all the marbles,” Mayweather said. “I was able to go out there and generate crazy numbers. You know what the result was.
“My focus is Saturday. That’s why I’m here, to entertain people and the United Kingdom.”
Chalmers, a 35-year-old from Newcastle, England, is a reality television star in the U.K. with experience in MMA. He made his boxing debut in June, outpointing journeyman Alexander Zeledon in a four-rounder.
Mayweather, who will be making his debut in the U.K., was respectful of his opponent.
“I’ve seen everything but you can never overlook a guy or underestimate a guy,” he said. “He believes in his skills and talent. My job is to entertain and do what I do. I don’t have to have fast hand or feet. The proof is in pudding.
“… With all these fighters, I want them to give it 100%. We’re here to entertain. The U.K. has a big fight market, it’s huge. I want him to be at his best and give it his all.”
Mayweather will be taking part in his sixth exhibition. His previous exhibitions: Tenshin Nasukawa in 2018, Logan Paul in 2021, Don Moore last May, Mikuru Asakura in September and Deji Olatunji in November.
He last took part in a sanctioned bout in 2017, when he stopped Conor McGregor in 10 rounds to run his record to 50-0.