Is Floyd Mayweather preparing to face Ryan Garcia?

Floyd Mayweather hasn't had an official boxing match since he beat Conor McGregor in 2017. He hasn't beaten an actual boxer since Andre Berto in 2015. He's fought a few exhibitions since. 

But it seems that the man known as "Money" is facing serious financial issues and is preparing to make a proper comeback to pay his bills. Speaking on the PBD Podcast, Floyd claimed to have been betrayed by people in his inner circle who controlled his business affairs.

He also said that payments he was owed from his deal with Showtime ended up in someone else's account.

He hasn't named the person he claims to have betrayed him, but says he was "sitting next to him as a friend." He says he is currently suing him for $350 million dollars.

But money owed to him aside, Floyd is suffering the consequences of an unfathomably lavish lifestyle. It seems he has discovered that no matter how wealthy a man becomes, it's still possible for him to live beyond his means.

He is facing felony charges in Las Vegas for a bounced cheque for a $200,000 watch and has numerous unpaid bills for jewellery.

And like so many boxing champions before him, Joe Louis perhaps being the most famous, Floyd is being pursued by the taxman.

A fight with superstar Ryan Garcia must appeal to him, because he could potentially erase much of his debt in a single evening. 

As big as Mayweather is, he would find himself in the unusual position of not being able to call all the shots in that negotiation. Garcia knows that Floyd needs him. Ryan has said that the fight would not be an exhibition. He wants to be the first to defeat the 50-0 Mayweather. Despite Floyd's advancing years, it would still be a terrific name on his resume.

But there are serious obstacles to Garcia-Mayweather. Floyd has signed a contract for a rematch with fellow legend, Manny Pacquiau. Their first encounter in 2015 was one of the most eagerly anticipated matches in boxing history. But the contest itself was an anti-climax. Manny's punches were easily blocked and evaded throughout the 12 rounds, and Floyd barely got out of first gear.

Pacquiao says he was carrying an injury that night. He may well have been, but the truth is that he simply couldn't get to grips with Mayweather's style and speed.

A rematch, with both of them approaching 50 years-old would not, I believe, create much interest among boxing fans. 

Bizarrely, Mayweather has also agreed to have an exhibition fight with former heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson. Tyson was last seen in a ring losing to YouTuber Jake Paul in 2024. Tyson is still a huge name, but he showed that night that his reflexes and balance were non-existent. Now, at 60 years old, he would be even worse.

Mayweather is contractually obliged to go through with both the Pacquiau and Tyson contests, but it seems he is trying to fight Garcia first to get the bigger payday.

If he goes ahead with that, the resulting lawsuits may, in the end, only add to his financial woes.