Mayweather returns in July vs Marquez

Mayweather returns in July vs Marquez.Unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr. ended his 17-month boxing retirement on Saturday, the outspoken American welterweight announcing a comeback fight in July and reclaiming his pound-for-pound throne.

Hours before England's Ricky Hatton and Philippine star Manny Pacquiao met in the ring to decide the pound-for-pound throne Mayweather abdicated, the 32-year-old US pay-per-view money spinner declared himself the true man to beat.

"I'm coming back to claim what's mine," Mayweather said. "I'm the king. I left on top. I come back on top. I'm back to claim my crown. I've never been beat. How can I not still be the king?

"One day somebody might shut my mouth but right now I'm the top dog."

Mayweather, 39-0 with 25 knockouts, makes his return July 18 against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez at the same arena where he last fought, stopping Hatton in the 10th round in December 2007 to keep the undisputed welterweight title.

"I'm back because the sport of boxing needs Floyd Mayweather," Mayweather said. "Somebody has got to keep the sport running so why not me?"

Marquez, the World Boxing Association lightweight champion, will move up in weight for the bout, likely to be staged at a limit of 143 or 144 pounds even though Mayweather would not say exactly what catch weight would be used.

"A small man is never going to knock me out," Mayweather said. "He's a good small man. I'm a great big man."

Joking he was "coming fresh from the club – the strip club," Mayweather brushed off any notion of ring rust after the layoff.

"I'm in tremendous shape. When it's time to fight I will be ready mentally as well as physically," Mayweather said. "I've just got to adapt. I've been working out every day. My first day I worked I boxed seven, eight rounds."

Playing the arrogant loudmouth, Mayweather beat Oscar de la Hoya in the richest fight in boxing history, luring 2.4 million pay-per-view buys and another 1 million buys for a similar role against Hatton – nearly $250 million combined, although Hispanic and British fans of his rivals spent most.

"I've been off a couple years and I'm still the biggest draw," Mayweather said. "Heavyweight to 105 pounds, they all want to fight me. I'm the cash cow."

Mayweather expects to fight twice a year.

"If I can stick them up three times I will," he said. "I come in black because it's a bank robbery. I need the cash."

When it comes to future foes, Mayweather dismissed Hatton as already beaten and Pacquiao as having lost twice to Marquez, even though the Filipino star had a draw and a controversial decision victory over the Mexican in their fights.

"I'm not worried about that. I don't have to call fighters out," Mayweather said. "I don't know what I want to do. Last year I made eight million dollars chilling."

Mayweather took part in wrestling shows and "Dancing with the Stars" during his hiatus before starting talk of a return in March.

Regarding reports of tax trouble, Mayweather joked about the US Internal Revenue Service.

"We've all got to pay the IRS. I like to take my time and play them slow," he said. "I'm fine. Everything is paid for. I'm OK, with or without boxing."

Playing the foil to Mayweather next is Marquez, who has been training the past two weeks and is at 145 pounds now.

"I'm well prepared," Marquez said. "I believe that I will be able to adapt to his style of moving constantly and counterpunching. To be the best you have to beat the best and right now the best fighter is Floyd Mayweather."

[source]