“2026 is already shaping up to be an exciting year for me,” Mayweather said. “Europe, I’m on the way to entertain.”
Zambidis, 45, made his name in K-1 and European kickboxing competition, where he became known for aggressive combinations and knockout power. His achievements came outside professional boxing. He has not competed seriously in more than a decade. His only professional boxing match took place in 2019, when he won a four-round decision over limited opposition. He has never operated within a sustained boxing schedule or faced ranked contenders.
Mayweather, who turns 49 this year, retired at 50-0 after stopping Conor McGregor in 2017. Since then, he has taken part in several exhibitions against non-traditional opponents, including Logan Paul and Deji Olatunji, under modified rules. Those events were staged as global attractions rather than competitive contests tied to rankings or sanctioning bodies.
Even allowing for age, Mayweather’s technical depth remains well above that of a career kickboxer entering a boxing ring. Defensive reflexes, timing, and distance control are habits formed across decades of professional rounds. They tend to fade gradually rather than disappear in a single outing.
Oleksandr Usyk has also been linked to a bout against a former kickboxer, a reminder that crossover exhibitions continue to draw attention without interfering with championship schedules.
The June exhibition fits Mayweather’s recent pattern. He stays active, but he does so against opponents who are not full-time professional boxers, limiting risk ahead of September.
The Pacquiao rematch is the central date on his schedule, and the Zambidis bout keeps him active without bringing unnecessary risk before September. At this stage of his career, that choice makes sense.
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