Floyd Mayweather announces fight with 18-time kickboxing champion before Manny Pacquiao rematch

Floyd Mayweather has confirmed he will face kickboxing icon Mike Zambidis months before facing Manny Pacquiao.

Mayweather had previously announced that he was set to fight heavyweight icon Mike Tyson in a blockbuster exhibition this year.

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Things initially went quiet over when the shock bout could land, but it is now believed the pair will meet in April in Africa.

He is also set to rematch bitter rival Manny Pacquiao in a blockbuster Las Vegas event in September this year, in what will be a full professional comeback.

The Greek K-1 veteran posted a fight poster of himself and boxing legend Mayweather last month, having teased an announcement hours before.

It showed the pair to be confirmed to meet June 27 in Athens, Greece at the Oaka Arena.

And Mayweather has since confirmed exactly that, detailing his plan for the year.

He wrote on Instagram: “2026 is already shaping up to be an exciting year for me…

“I’m on the way to entertain!! Athens, Greece. Get ready
for an all out exhibition. This summer will be a legendary battle.

“June is the month where history will be made at the Telekom Center. Different energy. Different level.”

Zambidis is now 45-years-old and like Mayweather is beyond his physical prime.

He hasn’t fought since 2015, where his final bow in the kickboxing ranks came in a decision victory over Steve Moxon in a retirement event.

Therefore, it would be his first fight in 11 years and could well be in the professional boxing ranks under traditional rules.

Mayweather’s return in 2026

Mayweather of course appears to be taking on Tyson, which already in a bizarre bout given his potential rival’s dismal loss to Jake Paul in a 2024 comeback.

His full professional return at the age of 49 will then take place later in the year.

It promises to be a year of huge paydays for the high-selling icon, who has now got three fights in the pipeline.

Mayweather will be hoping not to lose his invincible legacy, and wants to record his 51st professional win under a bright new spotlight.

But Pacquiao has warned he should be fearful, given his desire to be the one to hand an astonishingly big blow to his resume.

He said: “I want Floyd to live with the one loss on his professional record and always remember who gave it to him.”