Floyd Mayweather To Face Mike Zambidis In Exhibition Ahead Of Pacquiao Rematch

Floyd Mayweather Jr. will step back into the ring this June for an exhibition clash against Greek kickboxing veteran Mike Zambidis — as he prepares for his blockbuster rematch with Manny Pacquiao.

The 49-year-old American is set to face Pacquiao, 47, on 19 September at Sphere in Las Vegas, with the event scheduled to stream live on Netflix.

The bout will mark a sequel to their 2015 “Fight of the Century” — the richest fight in boxing history.

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Athens Exhibition Before Vegas Showdown

Before that headline event, Mayweather has opted for a tune-up exhibition in Athens against Zambidis, a 45-year-old kickboxing icon who holds a staggering 157-24 record with 87 knockouts.

Announcing the news on Instagram, Mayweather wrote:

“2026 is already shaping up to be an exciting year for me.
I’m on the way to entertain!! Athens, Greece, get ready. This summer will be a legendary battle.”

The exhibition will serve as preparation for what will be Mayweather’s first professional boxing match in nine years.

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Mayweather’s Return To Action

Mayweather has not competed in a sanctioned professional bout since defeating Conor McGregor by 10th-round technical knockout in 2017.

Since then, he has participated in multiple exhibition contests but remained officially retired from professional boxing.

The Pacquiao rematch will represent his fourth return from retirement — and one of the most commercially significant events of the year.

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Zambidis’ Background

Zambidis is widely regarded as one of Greece’s most accomplished kickboxers, though he has not had an official fight since June 2015.

While the exhibition format means no official records are at stake, the bout adds intrigue given the stylistic crossover between boxing and kickboxing backgrounds.

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A Legendary Sequel Looms

Mayweather famously defeated Pacquiao via unanimous decision in 2015 in a fight that shattered financial records but divided fans over its tactical nature.

Now, more than a decade later, the two legends will share the ring once again — this time in a new era of global streaming and spectacle.

First stop: Athens. Then, all eyes turn to Las Vegas in September.