Floyd Mayweather’s fighting future will soon become much brighter.

After not competing professionally since 2017 and not competing in exhibition fights since 2024, Mayweather seemed poised for a busy 2026, with three different fights announced.

He first lined up for an exhibition with fellow boxing legend Mike Tyson before it was confirmed on September 19 that a shock professional rematch with former foe Manny Pacquiao would take place on September 19.

The American didn’t stop there when it was revealed he had another fight scheduled with Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis, but over the past few weeks, doubts have swirled around each of those fights.

Initially, rumors about the fight with Tyson in Congo were to take place in April, but this date quickly passed, and various factors, including the injury of “Iron Mike”, raise doubts whether the meeting will be postponed.

Mayweather’s fight with Pacquiao also hit a few snags after the pair disagreed on whether it would be a professional fight or an exhibition contest, and the announced venue for The Sphere in Las Vegas is currently unavailable on the originally planned date.

However, it looks like Mayweather will at least take part in one of these three fights – he revealed on social media details of the press conference devoted to the battle with Zambidis.

PRESS CONFERENCE:
FLOYD “MONEY” MAYWEATHER VS.
IRON MIKE ZAMBIDIS

WHEN: Thursday, May 7

TIME:
14:30 PT – media arrival
15:00 PT – press conference begins

WHERE:
Mayweather Boxing Club
4020 Schiff drive
Las Vegas, Nevada 89103 pic.twitter.com/Le5iXCBafz

— Floyd Mayweather (@FloydMayweather) May 7, 2026

For now, it appears that Mayweather is focusing on the Zambidis exhibition, but Pacquiao’s team has previously stated that the American will be in breach of contract if he continues this fight, so it appears that these issues are still a long way from being resolved.

Deontay Wilder has reclaimed his place as the top-rated American heavyweight less than a year after his 4,296-day streak at the top of the pack in the United States finally ended.

Last year, Wilder overtook Richard Torrez Jr. after more than a decade as America’s top heavyweight champion, but one win over Derek Chisora ​​put the “Bronze Bomber” back ahead of the undefeated Olympic silver medalist.

The latest WBC list places Wilder in sixth place and Torrez in ninth place, down three spots. This is a real change for Wilder: Torrez moved forward, but the takeover didn’t last long.

WBN first calculated that the period was 4,296 days when Torrez moved over Wilder, making this latest change a direct reversal of the longest American heavyweight reign in the current rankings picture.

Torrez’s rise looked like a possible changing of the guard in the American heavyweight division. Instead, Wilder took the spot before the 26-year-old could properly take up the role.

The same rankings also confirmed Tyson Fury’s return to the top spot after his victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov, with the WBC heavyweight list now filled with British fighters.

Wilder regains his place in the USA

Wilder’s return to America’s top spot comes just months after Torrez became the first American heavyweight to overtake him in the WBC rankings in twelve years.

The former WBC heavyweight champion maintained that position in the country through title reigns, defeats, inactivity and the latter stages of his career. The loss of this award marked Wilder’s first real break from the American heavyweight scene. Taking him away keeps him alive in a division that has started to grow.

This is not a detail that can be overlooked. Wilder’s name is still bigger than any other American name in his area, and his punching power remains the one thing that every challenger and champion in this division must respect.

Stalls along the WBC Belt route

The former WBC champion could face Oleksandr Usyk for the world title later this month as the WBC gave the Ukrainian a voluntary window.

Instead, Wilder stuck to his agreement to fight Chisora, a decision that could ultimately cost him the clearest route back to the WBC belt.

Wilder has another path to the WBC title if the heavyweight fight stalls. Bridgeweight champion Kevin Lerena told World Boxing News he will “100 percent” give Wilder a chance to win the 224-pound crown, while maintaining the possibility that Wilder will retire as a two-weight world champion.

This option gives Wilder a second path to a world title, and his return to heavyweight restored his domestic ranking without giving him back control of the world title fight.

The WBC’s decision earlier this year to create an interim championship line around Agit Kabayel puts Wilder in an odd position. He’s once again above all American heavyweights in the WBC rankings, still unsafe enough to matter, and still waiting for the championship picture to open up.

Currently, the cleanest scenario in the heavyweight division may involve Kabayel finally being elevated to full champion after Usyk faces Rico Verhoeven.

WBC list of British heavyweight fighters

As well as Wilder reclaiming the US number one, the latest rankings also highlight how much the WBC heavyweight picture is currently tilting towards the UK.

Fury remains on top despite two defeats to Usyk, and Itauma’s rapid rise to third place continues to fuel expectations that the youthful contender is being aggressively pushed towards a future title fight.

Joshua also remains at the top of the division despite his inactivity, while Okolie remains in second place despite his drug testing controversy.

The concentration of British names in the rankings gives this list a second Wilder comeback story. America has its top heavyweight champion back, but the wider WBC picture is being cluttered by UK fighters.

But for Wilder, the headline is national. The 4,296-day winning streak ended, Torrez took the lead, and the former WBC champion returned to this position.

Whether this becomes a route to the heavyweight title, a bridgeweight gamble or just a rankings win now depends on what the WBC does next with Usyk, Kabayel, Lerena and the belts floating around the Wilder name.

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

Promoter Bob Arum’s comments about Howard Cosell brought back memories of one of boxing’s most polarizing figures, a commentator whom many older fans remember as much for his outspokenness as his voice.

During an interview in which he reflected on the history of boxing, Arum praised Cosell’s chemistry with Muhammad Ali and the role he played in elevating the sport in the 1970s. But Arum also admitted that her relationship with Cosell became more complex over time.

“Howard Cosell was great at boxing,” Arum said Sports page with Bob Case.

Arum then took a edged turn when discussing Cosell’s later years.

“Then he became like a monster,” Arum said. “He was a real jerk.”

Older fans remember Cosell as one of the few boxing commentators who openly criticized fighters, promoters, referees and even the sport itself during live broadcasts. His direct, Modern York style set him apart from the quieter and more caring television personalities of the era.

This directness was especially evident behind schedule in his boxing career, during Larry Holmes’ one-sided 1982 title defense against Randall “Tex” Cobb. Cosell openly criticized the mismatch throughout the broadcast and sounded increasingly disgusted with the punishment Cobb took over the course of 15 rounds. Shortly thereafter, Cosell announced that he would never hold another professional boxing match again.

Despite their famed chemistry, Cosell was also openly critical of Ali later in the heavyweight legend’s career as his skills declined. Instead of getting furious, Ali often seemed to enjoy verbal sparring with Cosell, creating one of the most unusual and fascinating relationships in sports television history.

Arum also shared one of his favorite stories involving Cosell, recalling how the broadcaster once jumped out of a limo and started commenting on a real street fight in St. Louis until the fighters stopped because they were distracted by him calling for action

Robert Segal is a boxing reporter at Boxing News 24 with over a decade of experience covering fight news, previews and analysis. Known for his first-hand reporting and in-ring perspective, he delivers authoritative coverage of champions, challengers and emerging talent from around the world.

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Last update: 2026/05/07 at 12:09