“2026 is already shaping up to be an exciting year for me,” Mayweather said. “Europe, I’m on my 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 accomplishments came outside of professional boxing. He hasn’t competed seriously in over a decade. His only professional boxing bout 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 50-0 after stopping Conor McGregor in 2017. Since then, he has competed in several exhibitions under modified rules against non-traditional opponents, including Logan Paul and Deji Olatunji. Those events were staged as global attractions rather than competitive competitions tied to rankings or sanctioning bodies.
Even considering age, Mayweather’s technical depth remains far beyond that of a career kickboxer entering a boxing ring. Defensive reflexes, timing and distance control are habits formed over decades of professional rounds. They tend to fade gradually rather than disappearing in a single outing.
Oleksandr Usyk has also been linked to a fight against a former kickboxer, a reminder that crossover exhibitions still attract attention without interfering with championship schedules.
The June exhibition fits Mayweather’s recent pattern. He remains active, but he does so against opponents who are not full-time professional boxers, limiting risk before September.
The Pacquiao rematch is the central date on his schedule, and the Zambidis fight keeps him active without bringing unnecessary risk before September. At this stage of his career, that choice makes sense.
