A month ago, the biggest question surrounding Floyd Mayweather’s schedule was whether he could physically fit three major events into four months. Now there is a growing chance that all three events will never come true.
When World Boxing News analyzed Mayweather’s reported plans in May, the concern was timely.
Mike Tyson was already struggling with a hand injury, which postponed the proposed exhibition to the fall. Pacquiao was still waiting for an official announcement, even though Mayweather claimed the deal should be completed within days.
Meanwhile, the summer exhibition with Greek kickboxing star Mike Zambidis was quick approaching.
The schedule seemed ambitious, but has since become much more complicated.
First, Zambidis
The most immediate concern is the Mayweather v. Zambidis exhibition on June 27 in Athens.
The undefeated boxing legend is currently embroiled in multiple legal battles, including a lawsuit filed by CSI Entertainment over Tyson and Pacquiao’s proposed events and a separate $175 million lawsuit Mayweather filed against former associates.
Mayweather also publicly responded to the theft allegations in Nevada, dismissing the headlines as “free promotion.”
None of these issues stopped the event in Athens.
However, if any legal changes affect Mayweather’s ability to travel abroad, the Zambidis exhibition will become the first casualty.
With only a few days left until the fight, he’s at the front of the line.
Pacquiao is still waiting
The proposed rematch with Pacquiao raised eyebrows even before the latest headlines appeared.
Mayweather stated in May that the fight should be finalized within days after plans for the Sphere in Las Vegas collapsed.
Weeks later, there is still no official date, location, press tour or promotional event.
The longer this goes on, the harder it is to imagine a fight of this magnitude taking place in the original time frame.
Vital events don’t usually happen overnight. At this point, Pacquiao remains a talking point rather than a confirmed fight.
Tyson’s problem
Then there’s Tyson. The former heavyweight champion suffered a hand injury, which delayed plans and pushed the exhibition to the fall.
Even before this defeat, Mayweather never seemed fully committed to promoting the event.
Reports continued to surface linking the pair to Africa and various dates, but Mayweather rarely spoke about the fight publicly.
Tyson’s injury created one obstacle, while the CSI lawsuit created another.
All in all, Tyson’s exhibition currently looks like the least certain of the three events.
A month ago, the challenge was to put Zambidis, Pacquiao and Tyson in the same four-month window.
The calendar remains full.
Whether all three events survive long enough to get to them becomes a completely different question.
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.
Anthony Joshua is finally set to take on Tyson Furyand promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that a world-renowned trainer will be helping Joshua prepare for his showdown with ‘The Gypsy King’.
‘AJ’ has teamed up with Team Usyk for his last two professional contests, with Iegor Golub acting as lead trainer in back-to-back knockout wins against Jake Paul and Kristian Prenga within the last 10 months.
Despite being victorious, Joshua has been criticised for not dispatching of Paul quicker and for twice being dropped by unknown Albanian Prenga ahead of his long-awaited bout with fellow two-time heavyweight ruler Tyson Fury.
In a clip captured by Pro Boxing FansHearn has revealed that Ben Davison, a former trainer of both Fury and Joshua who he labelled as ‘one of the best in the world’, will be involved in ‘AJ’s camp for the December 11 clash which will take place in Cardiff.
“Even when Ben wasn’t his principal trainer – he was just working with him – strategically, talking all of the time, I think he respects Ben a lot. Obviously, there is probably a feeling that Ben Davison knows Tyson Fury extremely well.
“For me, I think that he is one of the best trainers in the world. I don’t know AJ’s final decision as to where he is going to locate his training camp but Ben Davison will definitely be involved in that camp and in that process.”
It is unknown whether Davison will be re-appointed as Joshua’s lead trainer in Golub’s place or if the pair will work together as part of a wider ‘AJ’ coaching unit.
Jose Benavidez Sr is the father and trainer of potential Fighter of the Year candidate, David Benavidezwho has risen the pound-for-pound rankings with his solitary outing of 2026.
Now, Benavidez Sr has given praise to another reigning world champion, believing that nobody in his division can defeat him.
Benavidez made the 25lb leap up to cruiserweight earlier this year and dethroned unified world champion, Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez upon his debut in the division as he announced himself to the 200lb scene in style.
In December, Benavidez will look to add an additional cruiserweight title to his collection, expected to collide with newly-elevated WBC cruiserweight king, Michal Cieslak, in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday, December 12.
Although, whilst his son is receiving credit for his efforts this year, Benavidez Sr told Fight Hub TV how impressed he was by WBC welterweight titleholder Ryan Garciawhen witnessing ‘King Ry’ halt Conor Benn inside two rounds earlier this month.
“It was spectacular. Ryan Garcia has a lot of speed, he is super fast, he has got that hook. It’s unbelievable. When Ryan focusses and stays sharp he is a very dangerous fighter in that division.
“I just don’t see nobody beating him and he brings a lot of people, so at the end of the day, the sky is the limit for him. He is doing great, I am a big fan and I think that, at this point right now, I don’t see nobody beating him.”
Like Benavidez, Garcia is also looking to compete again before the end of the calendar, eyeing up a December showdown with Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz.
Horrific footage has emerged showing Arturo “Lobito” Torres collapsing in the ring moments after his final fight was stopped in Mexicali.
Torres died on September 25six days after suffering serious injuries following his fight at Parque Vicente Guerrero on September 19.
The 26-year-old’s corner had already stopped the contest when Torres remained on his feet for a matter of seconds.
Then his body gave way.
Footage shows Torres slumping limply to the canvas as those around him immediately rush to his aid.
He was subsequently hospitalized and underwent emergency surgery, but his injuries ultimately proved too severe.
Torres died six days after stepping into the ring for the final time.
Horrific 💔 pic.twitter.com/Nnqo5bsrLn
— World Boxing News (@WorldBoxingNews) September 29, 2026
Arturo Torres Funeral
Torres was laid to rest in Mexicali on September 28 as family, friends and members of the local community said goodbye to the young fighter.
Footage from Mexico showed a lengthy funeral procession making its way through the city nine days after his final fight.
Sadly, the sight of a boxer’s limp body slumping to the canvas is not unfamiliar in this sport.
Having covered boxing for 16 years, World Boxing News is all too familiar with the distressing sight of a fighter in trouble after a hard contest.
Sometimes the consequences mean the end of a career. On terrible occasions, they are far greater.
For Torres, what happened after his final fight ended with a young life being cut tragically short.
The footage is difficult enough to watch without knowing what happened next. Knowing that Torres never recovered makes those final moments in the ring considerably harder.
Nine days after the fight, the streets of Mexicali filled for his funeral procession.
Arturo “Lobito” Torres was only 26.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.