Floyd Mayweather has officially confirmed he will participate in another exhibition fight before his highly anticipated rematch with long-time rival Manny Pacquiao later this year. The boxing legend will face off against retired kickboxer Mike Zambidis in Athens, Greece, this June, setting the stage for his September clash with Pacquiao in Las Vegas.
Mayweather's Busy 2026 Schedule
At 49 years old, Mayweather continues to defy retirement, mapping out a busy schedule for 2026. His upcoming exhibition against Zambidis is scheduled for June, with the exact date yet to be finalized, though Zambidis has indicated it will be on June 27 at the Oaka Arena in Athens. Mayweather himself announced the bout on Instagram, writing, "2026 is already shaping up to be an exciting year for me... I'm on the way to entertain!! Athens, Greece. Get ready for an all out exhibition. This summer will be a legendary battle."
The Pacquiao Rematch: A Controversial Comeback
Following the exhibition, Mayweather will turn his attention to Manny Pacquiao, with their rematch set for September at the Sphere in Las Vegas. This fight comes eleven years after their first encounter in 2015, which Mayweather won by decision to advance his professional record to 48-0. Since then, Mayweather has not fought professionally, opting instead for exhibition matches against opponents like Tenshin Nasukawa, Logan Paul, and Don Moore, with his last professional bout being a TKO victory over UFC star Conor McGregor in 2017.
The rematch has sparked mixed reactions within the boxing community. In a recent column for The Independent, boxing pundit Steve Bunce labeled it as "cynical and calculating," while Combat Sports Editor Alex Pattle noted that while few fans desired this fight, there are three factors that could make it compelling viewing. Pacquiao, now 47 and holding a record of 62-8-3, has openly expressed his ambition to tarnish Mayweather's perfect 50-0 record, stating, "I want Floyd to live with the one loss on his professional record and always remember who gave it to him."
Zambidis: A Surprising Opponent
Mike Zambidis, a 45-year-old former kickboxer, ended his professional kickboxing career over a decade ago, with his last fight in 2015 being a decision win over Steve Moxon. He briefly returned to the ring for a one-off boxing match in 2019 but has been largely inactive since. Despite this, Mayweather's choice of opponent adds an unexpected twist to his pre-rematch preparations.
Mayweather had previously hinted at an exhibition fight with heavyweight icon Mike Tyson this year, though no date has been set for that potential bout. His focus now remains on the June exhibition and the September rematch, which promises to be a significant event in boxing history.
Financial Stakes and Legacy
The first Mayweather-Pacquiao fight in 2015 set unprecedented financial records in boxing, generating the highest gate at £53.1 million and achieving 4.6 million pay-per-view sales. Pacquiao, the only eight-weight world champion in boxing history, most recently fought in July 2025, boxing Mario Barrios to a majority draw for the WBC welterweight title. As both fighters approach their late 40s and early 50s, this rematch not only carries substantial monetary implications but also poses critical questions about their legacies in the sport.
With Mayweather's exhibition against Zambidis serving as a precursor, the buildup to the Pacquiao rematch is poised to captivate boxing enthusiasts worldwide, blending nostalgia with contemporary spectacle in a year already marked by high-profile announcements.
