Boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. is reportedly considering making his planned career swansong in September this year available on free-to-air television in the US.
Mayweather has established himself as boxing’s premier pay-per-view attraction, with his May points victory over long-time rival Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas generating 4.4m buys for a joint Showtime-HBO production, outstripping the previous record mark of 2.48m for his 2007 victory over Oscar De La Hoya.
There is one fight remaining on Mayweather’s six-bout deal with Showtime Networks – a wholly-owned subsidiary of the CBS Corporation – and CBSSports.com, citing an industry source, said the 38-year-old is tempted to make his next outing available on network television via CBS.
September is the date pencilled in for Mayweather’s next fight, with reports suggesting former world champion Andre Berto could be handed the chance to challenge for the American’s World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association titles.
Victory in September would move Mayweather to a 49-0 career record – level with the iconic mark set by US heavyweight Rocky Marciano in 1955. Should Mayweather opt to fight a 50th bout on the back of a September victory it would be likely to prove a highly lucrative television event.