LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Floyd Mayweather Jr. is back, ending his brief retirement from boxing.The undefeated five-division champion plans to announce Saturday his return to the sport with a July fight against WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, a person close to the fight confirmed Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the fight hadn't been officially announced.
Mayweather last fought when he stopped Ricky Hatton in the 10th round of their December 2007 welterweight WBC title fight. He was expected to fight Oscar De La Hoya in a rematch of the fight he narrowly won earlier that year, but last June said he would not fight again because he had lost his love for the sport.
The 32-year-old Mayweather has won all 39 of his fights, and would put himself in position for a potentially very lucrative fight against the winner of Saturday's bout between Manny Pacquiao and Hatton.
De La Hoya, who helps run Golden Boy Promotions, said this week that his company had been talking to Mayweather about a possible return, and there were also reports that Don King was trying to sign the fighter. Golden Boy Promotions called a press conference for Saturday at the MGM Grand hotel for what it called a major announcement.
Mayweather's estranged father, Floyd Sr., also said last week that his son was in the gym and training and that he expected him to fight again. HBO had been holding a pay-per-view date of July 18 in hopes of his return.
Mayweather's return could lead to some profitable fights. Mayweather's bout against De La Hoya in May 2007 was the richest fight ever, drawing a record 2.15 million buys.
Since stopping Hatton 17 months ago, Mayweather appeared in professional wrestling but has been largely absent from the sport he began learning even before he began to walk.
Mayweather made more than $50 million in the ring during an 18-month stretch that ended with the Hatton fight.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
Latest Boxing Images
Benoit Gaudet of Canada weighs in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada May 1, 2009. Gaudet will challenge WBC super featherweight champion Humberto Soto of Mexico for the title at the arena May 2. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING)
Reuters
Manny Pacquiao's mother, Dionisia Pacquiao, waits to watch an official weigh-in for her son and his opponent Ricky Hatton of Britain at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada May 1, 2009. The boxers will meet for a 12-round, junior welterweight bout at the arena May 2. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING)
Reuters
WBC super featherweight champion Humberto Soto of Mexico weighs in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada May 1, 2009. Soto will defend his title against Benoit Gaudet of Canada at the arena May 2. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING)
Reuters
WBC super featherweight champion Humberto Soto (L) of Mexico and Benoit Gaudet of Canada pose at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada May 1, 2009. Soto will defend his title against Gaudet at the arena May 2. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING)
Reuters
Boxing promoter Oscar De La Hoya and actor Mario Lopez (R) speak to fans before an official weigh-in for junior welterweight boxers Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines and Ricky Hatton of Britain at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada May 1, 2009. The boxers will meet for a 12-round bout at the arena May 2. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING)
Reuters
Ricky Hatton fans cheer during an official weigh-in for Hatton and Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 1, 2009. Hatton of Britain and Pacquiao of the Philippines will meet for a 12-round, junior welterweight bout at the arena May 2. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING)
Reuters
Junior welterweight boxer Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines weighs in for his fight with Ricky Hatton of Britain at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada May 1, 2009. The boxers will meet for a 12-round bout at the arena May 2. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING)
Reuters
Manny Pacquiao fans cheer for boxer during an official weigh-in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada May 1, 2009. Pacquiao of the Philippines and Ricky Hatton of Britain will meet for a 12-round, junior welterweight bout at the arena May 2. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING)
Reuters
Junior welterweight boxer Ricky Hatton of Britain weighs in for his fight with Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada May 1, 2009. The boxers will meet for a 12-round bout at the arena May 2. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING)
Reuters
Junior welterweight boxer Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines gestures to fans during an official weigh-in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada May 1, 2009. Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton of Britain will meet for a 12-round bout at the arena May 2. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES SPORT BOXING)
Reuters
