Tag: Reuters

Floyd Mayweather’s digital likeness to enter ring in simulated fights

Floyd Mayweather has agreed to pit his digital likeness against other boxing stars in simulated fights, according to a Reuters report.

Floyd Mayweather is returning to boxing … in virtual form.

The future Hall of Famer has agreed to allow his digital likeness to fight other boxing stars in simulated bouts, according to a Reuters report.

Mayweather, the streaming platform fuboTV and virtual entertainment company FaceBank entered into the joint venture, which will allow for matchups that otherwise could never have taken place.

“Resembling short films, these precise, real-time simulations will feature top-secret results based on a modeling computer that will make incremental relationships between actual performance, velocity of punches, speed of reaction, strategy and stamina,” a news release stated.

“These unprecedented virtual boxing matches will be exclusive to live TV streaming platform fuboTV and pay-per-view partners to be announced.”

Mayweather will work with FaceBank on photographic, filmed and mathematical representations of his face and body to develop an accurate computer-generated digital likeness of him.

Agreements between FaceBank and other noted boxers are expected to follow.

Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao or Canelo Alvarez? Not likely

Floyd Mayweather told Reuters that he’s finished as a boxer, although he is open to participating in more exhibitions.

Floyd Mayweather evidently has no plans whatsoever to fight again in a sanctioned bout.

The 42-year-old all-time great told Reuters that he’s finished as a boxer, although he is open to participating in more exhibitions. He said his focus is on his chain of boxing fitness gyms and his promotional company.

So much for rematches with Manny Pacquiao and Canelo Alvarez.

“I’ve got calls to get back into the ring, but my health is my wealth,” Mayweather told the wire service at the opening of one of his gyms in Torrance, California. “Boxing is a very, very brutal sport. In the last few years a lot of fighters have died inside that squared circle.”

He added, “You have got to know when to hang it up. I had a great career.”

Mayweather “retired” in 2007 but came back in 2009, easily outpointing Juan Manuel Marquez to kick off one last serious run in his career. He walked away again after beating Andre Berto in 2015 only to return once more to face MMA star Conor McGregor in 2017.

That was his last fight, giving him a final record of 50-0. Since then, he has done exhibitions. One took place in January, when he defeated Japanese kick boxer Tenshin Nasukawa.

“I’ll still travel and do exhibitions. I make great money doing exhibitions, between $10 and $30 million,” he said. “I think I make more doing that than most fighters make fighting.”

Mayweather also said he expects to expand into mixed martial arts one day.

“Eventually I will move on to build my brand in MMA,” he said, “but for right now I’m in boxing, and boxing will always be at the top as long as I’m involved.”