Goodfellas
06-27-2009, 07:26 AM
NEW YORK (AP) -- Floyd Mayweather's return to boxing is back on, although the new date won't make things any easier for him against hard-hitting Juan Manuel Marquez.
The former pound-for-pound king, who was slated to fight Marquez next month at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, issued a statement Friday that said he's been cleared by doctors following a rib injury and the fight will go off Sept. 19 -- the weekend after Mexican Independence Day.
"I am relieved to be cleared to fight," Mayweather said. "Trust me, September 19 is a great weekend for boxing, and all of my fans -- of which there are many Mexicans too -- can certainly hold on to their hats and sombreros when I get back in to the ring."
Mayweather, who is coming out of a brief retirement, damaged cartilage in his ribs during training two weeks ago. He was committed to rescheduling the fight, even though more lucrative opponents like Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao became available.
The former pound-for-pound king, who was slated to fight Marquez next month at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, issued a statement Friday that said he's been cleared by doctors following a rib injury and the fight will go off Sept. 19 -- the weekend after Mexican Independence Day.
"I am relieved to be cleared to fight," Mayweather said. "Trust me, September 19 is a great weekend for boxing, and all of my fans -- of which there are many Mexicans too -- can certainly hold on to their hats and sombreros when I get back in to the ring."
Mayweather, who is coming out of a brief retirement, damaged cartilage in his ribs during training two weeks ago. He was committed to rescheduling the fight, even though more lucrative opponents like Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao became available.