Newsletter Newsletters Events Events Podcasts Videos Africanews
Loader
Advertisement

'I'm in great shape,' boxing legend Floyd Mayweather tells Euronews ahead of Athens fight

Professional boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr speaks to Euronews
Professional boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr speaks to Euronews Copyright  Euronews
Copyright Euronews
By Ioannis Giagkinis
Published on Updated
Share Comments Add Euronews on Google
Share Close Button
Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Copy to clipboard Copied

Floyd "Money" Mayweather is set to face Greek fighter Mike Zambidis in Athens on Saturday 27 June.

Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been in Athens since Wednesday morning as he prepares for his matchup against Greek fighter Mike Zambidis this weekend.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Mayweather, 49, is due to fight "Iron Mike" on Saturday at the OAKA indoor arena in the Greek capital in what will be the American's first fight on Greek soil.

Ahead of the bout, he spoke with Euronews about his career, his fitness and his love of Greece.

Floyd Mayweather speaks to Euronews journalist Yannis Giaginis
Floyd Mayweather speaks to Euronews journalist Yannis Giaginis Euronews

"I gave the sport a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get to this point," Mayweather, who has won all 50 of his professional fights, said. "I'm very, very thankful for the support from people from all around the world, people from all walks of life".

"Boxing has been good to me. The fans have been good to me, and I love going out and displaying my skills and putting on a show for the people," he added.

Mayweather has come out of retirement multiple times over the course of his career, most recently in February when he announced he would return to professional boxing after facing former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in an exhibition fight.

He is due to face his old nemesis Manny Pacquiao, 47, in Las Vegas in September.

Floyd Mayweather is filmed by Euronews cameraman Yannis Dolas
Floyd Mayweather is filmed by Euronews cameraman Yannis Dolas Euronews

Mayweather told Euronews that he feels in a good place ahead of a busy year of fights, thanking his workout regime and defensive style for having helped preserve his body.

"I'm in great shape. I work out every day, and I really never took any abuse in the sport of boxing," he said. "So just by being smart, being intelligent, being a very defensive fighter and being a calculated fighter, I'm able to still compete at this age".

While Mayweather has fought all around the world, he appeared to be looking forward to making his debut in Greece.

"It's always great to come to Greece, it's always a beautiful place. Athens, Mykonos and Santorini. Every time I come to Greece, I always make those three stops," he said, adding: "I'm happy that I'm back".

Still from Mayweather’s interview with Euronews
Still from Mayweather’s interview with Euronews Euronews

At the end of the interview, Mayweather also offered some advice to aspiring young boxers: "To all the young people that I inspire, and if I don't inspire, this should inspire you. Believe in yourself. Believe in your skills, believe in your talent, and most of all, give it 100% when you go out there and perform".

Go to accessibility shortcuts
Share Comments Add Euronews on Google

Read more

Gennadiy Golovkin becomes first Kazakh inducted into Boxing Hall of Fame

Boxing: Usyk reclaims undisputed heavyweight crown after crushing victory over Dubois

'I'm in great shape,' boxing legend Floyd Mayweather tells Euronews ahead of Athens fight