Floyd Mayweather Comeback: Manny Pacquiao, Danny Garcia Possible Opponents For Potential Return Fight?

Floyd Mayweather hasn’t even been retired for seven months, and he’s already dropping major hints he’ll be returning to the ring soon. The undefeated boxer admitted that he’s been in talks with Showtime about a potential comeback, and he even mentioned fighters that he would be willing to face.

“Everyone is asking me, ‘Is Floyd Mayweather coming back?’ Mayweather told Showtime’s Jim Gray. “Right now, I’m happy being on (the promotional) side, but I’ve been talking with CBS and Showtime, and you just never know. But right now, I’m just happy on this side.”

Mayweather, 39, retired in September while still at the top of the sport. He was boxing’s No.1 pound-for-pound fighter when he defeated Andre Berto by unanimous decision, improving his record to 49-0. He announced that it would be his last fight, though there has been plenty of skepticism that Mayweather wants his 50th win.

This wouldn’t be the first time that Mayweather has come back from retirement. The boxer called it quits after he beat Ricky Hatton in 2007, but he returned less than two years later to defeat Juan Manuel Marquez. Mayweather fought 10 times in the second phase of his career.

After beating Pacquiao in May and earning close to $230 million to do it, Mayweather cemented his legacy as both the best fighter of his generation and the wealthiest boxer in history. But with a 50-0 mark in his sights and another big payday potentially awaiting him, Mayweather could be lured back inside the squared circle.

Mayweather said he would only come back for a fight that would pay him at least $100 million. If that’s the case, he might be left with only one option. Mayweather has scoffed at the idea of giving Pacquiao his highly sought after rematch, but the former welterweight champ only earned nine figures when he faced the Filipino icon.

"As of right now, some crazy numbers have been thrown my way — upwards, of course, of nine figures," Mayweather said. "But I’m truly blessed beyond belief, and I really don’t know what we’re going to do. But right now, I’m really happy being on this side helping fighters."

It’s hard to believe that Mayweather would get that kind of payday against any current fighter. Mayweather vs. Pacquiao set a record with upwards of 4 million pay-per-view buys, but his fight against Berto generated just between 400,000 and 550,000 buys.

Canelo Alvarez is boxing's biggest draw with Mayweather and Pacquiao are currently retired, but Mayweather beat him handily two and a half years ago and it's doubtful Mayweather and Alvarez could agree on a catchweight. Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin would likely pose the biggest threat to Mayweather’s undefeated record, and has said he’d be willing to fight Mayweather at 154 pounds.

Gray noted that Mayweather is currently walking around at 161 pounds, but Mayweather quickly dismissed the idea of facing Golovkin since he’s never even fought above 152 pounds.

“GGG, I think that it’s best that he goes up and fights Andre Ward,” Mayweather said. “I think that’d be a good fight for GGG. Andre Ward, that’s a good matchup. How can Floyd Mayweather fight at 160 (pounds) when I could never even make 154?”

If a Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch fails to come to fruition, a fight with Danny Garcia might be the most realistic bout. Garcia, like Mayweather, is undefeated, having won both of his fights since moving up to welterweight. After defeating Robert Guerrero on Jan. 23, Garcia has yet to sign on for an upcoming fight.

“Danny Garcia, another name. Undefeated prospect — undefeated champion in two different weight classes. Very exciting fighter. You just never know," Mayweather said.