Floyd Mayweather is not waiting around. With one of the most anticipated rematches in boxing history looming in September, the 50-0 legend has officially confirmed he will be stepping into the ring before that — and he is doing it in Greece.
Mayweather took to social media to lock in the details for a June 27 exhibition in Athens against Mike Zambidis, a Greek kickboxing icon with 18 world titles to his name. The event, billed as the Battle of the Legends, will take place at the Telekom Center inside the OAKA Olympic Complex — the same venue complex that hosted the 2004 Summer Olympics. It will be broadcast internationally and is expected to draw a massive crowd backing the hometown hero.
Mayweather vs. Zambidis — Battle of the Legends
Zambidis, 45, is no ordinary crossover opponent. The Athens-born fighter is widely regarded as one of the greatest kickboxers in K-1 history, having amassed a professional record of 158 wins and 87 knockouts across 180 fights. He reached the podium at the K-1 World MAX finals in both 2010 and 2012, and his aggressive pressure style and explosive knockout power made him a genuine fan favorite throughout his prime. In boxing, however, his résumé is thin — he holds just one professional boxing win, recorded back in March 2019.
For Mayweather, the matchup fits squarely within his post-retirement playbook
- A high-profile international stage with minimal risk to his undefeated record
- A charismatic local opponent who will guarantee a packed, electric crowd
- A chance to stay sharp before the biggest fight of his 2026 calendar
The Athens exhibition is one of three fights Mayweather has on his schedule this year. A clash with Mike Tyson in the Congo was previously discussed for April but has since been postponed, with no confirmed rescheduled date. The third and most significant date remains September 19 — where Mayweather is slated to share a ring with Manny Pacquiao for the first time since their 2015 mega-fight.
The Pacquiao Problem That Will Not Go Away
While the Zambidis fight is settled and signed, the September showdown is anything but simple. Mayweather has publicly described the Pacquiao bout as an exhibition, telling media in late March that, in his view, the fight would not count toward either man’s professional record. Pacquiao’s camp fired back swiftly, with the CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions stating that Mayweather had signed not one but three separate agreements — all clearly designating it as a fully sanctioned professional contest.
The dispute matters. Pacquiao’s 50-0 record would be on the line in a professional fight — and that distinction is precisely why the Filipino legend has refused to entertain any talk of an exhibition format. Pacquiao has been equally firm— he returned from retirement to avenge a loss, not to put on a show.
What is not in dispute is the event’s scale. The rematch was announced in February via Netflix, which will stream it globally at no additional charge. The Sphere in Las Vegas remains the expected venue, though Mayweather has at points suggested the location is not fully locked in.
A Busy Summer Before the Main Event
For boxing fans, June 27 in Athens is a warm-up act — entertaining, sure, but all roads lead back to September. Mayweather heads to Greece to handle business against Zambidis, and then the real question takes center stage— professional fight or exhibition? On the record or off it?
Pacquiao’s team says the contracts are signed and the answer is clear. Mayweather, as always, seems content to keep everyone guessing until the lights come on, fueling ongoing speculation, debates, and growing anticipation among fans worldwide today.
Source: Boxing News
