An emotional Floyd Mayweather Jr. accepted the honor of being inducted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. The “Banquet of Champions” ceremony took place at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York on Saturday. Mayweather Jr. couldn’t contain himself when he approached the podium at the sold out event. With head bowed, minutes passed as tears flowed from his shielded eyes.
“I told myself that I wouldn’t cry,” Mayweather Jr. said. “This is one of the best days of my life.”
The 2022 Hall of Fame weekend induction trilogy included inductees from the last three years, bringing in a total of 36 athletes. The legendary boxer from Grand Rapids, Michigan was inducted as a part of the 2021 class into the Men’s Modern Boxers category, sharing the prestigious honor with Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones Jr., Sugar Ray Leonard, Rocky Marciano, and more.
Mayweather Jr., considered one of the highest paid athletes of all time, was trained by his late father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., and uncle, Roger Mayweather. Entering the professional ranks in 1996, Mayweather Jr. emerges as an undefeated champion in the 50 bouts he’s fought throughout his career, including notable matches with Miguel Cotto, Canelo Alvarez, Oscar De La Hoya, and Manny Pacquiao. He also has a record 27 KOs under his belt and has won world titles in five different weight divisions.
The 45-year-old retired in 2017 after defeating UFC fighter Conor McGregor. His retirement has not been the last of him. In 2018, he came back to the ring for an exhibition fight in Japan through the promotional unit RIZIN.
Now, in 2022, Mayweather released a press statement announcing a return to business with RIZIN for an upcoming exhibition fight. Details about the exhibition fight will be revealed at a press conference in Las Vegas on Monday. Stay tuned.
