When boxing legend Floyd Mayweather makes his way to the ring to face reality TV star, retired MMA fighter, and part-time boxer Aaron Chalmers in an exhibition bout at the O2 Arena in London on February 25, he’ll be struggling not to laugh out loud.
Mayweather, 45, is coming off a sixth-round stoppage over Deji – a social media influencer – in Dubai last November. Reports suggest that the former five-weight world champion and Hall of Famer pocketed over $30 million for moving around against a novice opponent. And you can bet he’s being well paid for the Chalmers affair.
“I was originally supposed to face a different opponent, but injuries happen and I’m glad that Aaron Chalmers could step up so that we could give the fans what they want,” said Mayweather, who was meant to fight Liam Harrison. “The fans in the UK have always been great to me and supported me throughout my career, so an event like this has been a long time coming.”
MORE: All you need to know about Mayweather vs. Chalmers
The boxing exhibition fad feels relatively new due to the enormous interest it’s generated in recent times. However, in reality, this practice has been around for decades, and Mayweather isn’t the only one who’s continued to punch for pay long after retirement.
The Sporting News now looks back at five exhibition bouts that featured all-time great boxing champions:
Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki
- Date: June 26, 1976
- Location: Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
In early 1975, just months into his second reign as heavyweight champion of the world, Ali threw down the gauntlet while visiting Japan.
"Isn't there any Oriental fighter who will challenge me?” asked a boisterous Ali when introduced to Ichiro Hatta, president of the Japanese Wrestling Association. “I'll give him one million dollars if he wins.”
Legendary wrestler Antonio Inoki eventually accepted this challenge, but it would take over a year for the matchup to be made. Arranged as a pseudo-martial arts collision between boxer and wrestler, the rules were hastily put together and the event turned into a disaster.
MORE: Combat sports world reflects on the life of Antonio Inoki
Inoki, who was only permitted to kick below the waist, was terrified of being tagged and spent 15 rounds crawling around the floor and kicking at Ali’s legs. “The Greatest,” who ended up with severe blood clots, landed a total of six jabs in 45 minutes of fight time.
Incredibly, Ali received a career-high payday of $6 million for what turned into a farce. Three years later, with his career winding down, Ali boxed an exhibition against American footballer Lyle Alzado.
Result: Draw
Larry Holmes vs. Bernardo Mercado and James Tillis
- Date: March 11, 1990
- Location: Senyan Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia
Larry Holmes, 40, was two years removed from his knockout loss to Mike Tyson and pondering another comeback.
The opportunity to venture to Jakarta, enjoy some nightlife, sing a song or two, and box a four-round exhibition against a pair of average heavyweights was a shank to test his resources.
With no training whatsoever, “The Easton Assassin” could still land with that lightning jab, and his unrivalled experience allowed him to put on a show. The ex-champ opened up once or twice on Mercado and Tillis, but the televised exhibition was contested in very good spirits.
Holmes’ friend, mentor, and former opponent Muhammad Ali attended the event and was literally besieged by fans and well-wishers.
MORE: Floyd Mayweather Jr: Remembering awe-inspiring Pretty Boy from 25 years ago
The great Holmes returned to proper action one year later and went on to challenge Evander Holyfield and Oliver McCall in world title fights. He lost both by decision and retired for good in 2002.
Result: N/A
Floyd Mayweather vs. Tenshin Nasukawa
- Date: December 31, 2018
- Location: Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan
Over a year into permanent retirement, Mayweather was approached by a Japanese outfit that was interested in him facing featherweight kickboxing standout Nasukawa in a boxing exhibition.
That didn’t sound like the best of ideas.
Mayweather stays in shape year-round, and while the ex-champ was not even close to the cerebral boxing genius he once was, there’s no way a naturally smaller novice should be allowed anywhere near him in a boxing ring.
MORE: Floyd Mayweather vs. Aaron Chalmers purse, salaries
With just over a minute gone, Nasukawa was on his back courtesy of a left hook to the head. The stricken Japanese fighter rose gamely and attempted to fight back, but it was all over. Two more knockdowns convinced Nasukawa’s corner to throw in the towel.
Floyd reportedly scooped $9 million for embarrassing a 20-year-old kid who should have known better.
Money for nothing.
Result: Mayweather TKO 1
Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones
- Date: November 29, 2020
- Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles
If you wanted to see two of the biggest stars in boxing history mix it up – even in an eight-round exhibition – then you were going to have to dig deep.
With the COVID-19 pandemic threatening life as we knew it, these two former champs came together in a pay-per-view event with no live crowd in attendance. Tyson reportedly received a guarantee of $10 million, while Jones scooped $3 million.
The pair put on a passable imitation of what made them special during their respective primes. The 51-year-old Jones let his hands go in nifty bursts and used the ring. Tyson, 54, pursed and occasionally trapped his man against the ropes.
Neither fighter was permitted to go for the knockout and the bout was judged a draw.
These two were close to mixing it up for real almost 20 years earlier. At that point in time, Jones was one of the best fighters in the world and Tyson, though faded, remained a megastar.
Result: Draw
Evander Holyfield vs. Vitor Belfort
- Date: September 11, 2021
- Location: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Miami, Florida
All-time great heavyweight king Evander Holyfield defeated Father Time on several occasions during his professional career. However, his foray into the quick-money exhibition circuit ended in disaster.
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When former multi-weight world champion Oscar De La Hoya pulled out of an exhibition bout against MMA star Vitor Belfort, eyebrows were raised when the much larger Holyfield stepped in as a replacement.
Size didn’t matter.
Holyfield, 58, was ridiculously slow when he tried to punch. His southpaw opponent quickly capitalized with well-timed raids and a knockdown late in the opening round. The great former champ rose, but Belfort's follow-up attack convinced the referee to call the fight off.
Fifteen or 20 years earlier, Holyfield would have beaten Belfort so badly, he could have been served in an egg cup.
Result: Belfort TKO 1
