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Mayweather announces shock retirement from boxing

07/06/2008

Floyd Mayweather has announced his retirement from boxing, claiming he finds it difficult to enjoy the sport anymore.

Mayweather held the WBC welterweight title but was also considered the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

His last match was a showdown with Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas which the 'Pretty Boy' won with a 10th-round knockout.

Mayweather had beaten Oscar de la Hoya in his previous bout and he was expected to fight a rematch against him this September, however, the 31-year-old says he is willing to sacrifice future pay days for inner "peace".

He explained: "This decision was not an easy one for me to make, because boxing is all I have done since I was a child."

Mayweather has come out of retirement twice, to fight de la Hoya and Hatton respectively, but insists there will be no third comeback.

"These past few years have been extremely difficult for me to find the desire and joy to continue in the sport," Mayweather said.

Having won world titles at five different weight categories Mayweather felt there was little left for him to achieve in the sport.

The American said his only motivation to fight was because of his fans and claimed the money available from lucrative rematches against de la Hoya and Hatton were not enough to make him return to the ring.

He said: "I loved competing and winning and also wanted to continue my career for the fans, knowing they were there for me and enjoyed watching me fight.

"But there comes a time when money doesn't matter. I just can't do it anymore. I have found a peace with my decision that I have not felt in a long time."

Mayweather retires with an undefeated record from 39 professional bouts.