Reigning WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia has been linked to a shock showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr in recent days, and former unified welterweight titleholder Keith Thurman has offered his thoughts on the proposed match-up.
Mayweather’s last professional outing came against Conor McGregor back in 2017, where ‘TBE” knocked out the UFC superstar to reach his iconic 50-0 milestone before retiring from the sport.
Although, whilst inactive on the professional circuit, the 49-year-old has continued to partake in exhibitions, competing in eight unofficial bouts since hanging up the gloves.
This year, the Michigander has been touted for a comeback to the pro ranks, expected to rematch old rival Manny Pacquiao until talks for the blockbuster event collapsed due to external legal issues.
Whilst that clash has been postponed, Mayweather has now been mentioned for a surprising challenge for Garcia’s WBC world title, where he could become the oldest world champion in boxing history.
Speaking to FightHype, Thurman compared the contest to Larry Holmes’ infamous triumph over Muhammad Ali, questioning whether Mayweather’s ego is getting in the way of his decision-making.
“In a 12-round fight, I would definitely say that, at this stage, it is not really in Floyd’s favour. All of the inactivity, all of the stuff that he has done in the media.”
“At 50, athletically, that is a big hurdle. With the young guys, with their speed and the way that Ryan is locked in, staying in shape and things like that, it just feels like one of those ego-modes where someone is taking over the limelight that you used to dominate.
“You were the face of boxing, the king, the money man and this and that. Now, we are hitting a new generation and I am not sure how important it is, at this time, for Floyd to defend that ‘0’.”
“It could be one of those historic, passing-of-the-torch moments. Ali got to fight Larry Holmes, it would almost be something like that in today’s generation.”
Garcia is hoping to return to action in either December or January, with Mayweather being one of many names being reported as a potential opponent, alongside the likes of Teofimo Lopez and Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz.
