The Minnesota Vikings have two running backs under contract for 2026: Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. And if they’re in the mood late in the 2026 NFL Draft or in undrafted free agency, they could parley a pre-draft visit with North Carolina Central’s Chris Mosley into a roster spot.
Mosley profiles as a later-round or UDFA option as Minnesota maps life beyond Aaron Jones.
Mosley met with the Vikings and a handful of other NFL teams this week, as the NFL Combine is underway in Indianapolis.
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What Mosley Could Offer a Crowded Vikings Backfield Picture
Here’s one for your UDFA scorecard.
North Carolina Central running back Chris Mosley carries the ball during a Week 7 matchup against Florida A&M on Oct. 11, 2025, at Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida. Mosley worked between the tackles as North Carolina Central tested the Rattlers defense during conference play. Mandatory Credit: Gerald Thomas-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Vikings Meet with Mosley
Minnesota is evidently in on the Mosley sweepstakes. SI.com‘s Justin Melo tweeted Monday:
Nice HBCU Legacy Bowl for North Carolina Central football RB Chris Mosley, who rushed for 1,017 yards + 8 TDs this past season.
Mosley met with the following teams, per source:
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Until the Melo tweet, most Vikings fans had never heard of Mosley. Now is as good a time as any to remember the name, especially for a franchise that loves unearthing undrafted free-agent playmakers after the draft.
Who is Chris Mosley?
Mosley is 5’10 and 180 pounds, profiling as more of a scatback, perhaps akin to Jerick McKinnon of Vikings yesteryear. Regarding Minnesota’s 2026 offseason plan, he probably shouldn’t be considered the RB1 solution in a room that already features Jones and Mason.
The rookie logged 1,020 rushing yards last season, with 8 rushing touchdowns, in addition to 30 catches for 324 yards and two receiving touchdowns. He’s versatile.
SI.com‘s Gerald Huggins II on Mosley: “Chris Mosley is a running back with above-average linear speed, combined with toughness and quickness as a runner, despite his below-average size for the position. His frame is lean, with limited bulk, and he shows good change of direction in congestion. He does a good job of fitting through congestion, with an early burst and acceleration.”
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“He shows patience to allow his pullers to set up blocks for him. Mosley welcomes contact, runs behind his pads, and shows adequate forward lean with a pinball-like running style. His contact balance is good, and he sinks into his frame to make timely jump cuts, with good vision to process openings in congestion. He requires refinement as a route-runner, but works best on screens, swings, and check-downs, showing urgency to gain yards after the catch.”
Mosley must have some pizazz, evidenced by the number of NFL teams meeting with a relative unknown before the draft.
Huggins II added, “In pass protection, he lacks stoutness, struggles against blitzers, and does not consistently hold up. Mosley projects as an NFL camp/2nd-tier league starter who will be most impactful in a power-heavy running scheme that allows him to utilize his vision, patience, and toughness.”
“His toughness as a runner and ability to consistently gain positive yardage give him upside to be an RB3 or 4 at the NFL level. He will need to refine his receiving ability and pass protection to be a more serviceable option.”
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Probably Not an Emphatic Solution
From free agency, a few headliners will seek new teams, including running backs Travis Etienne, Kenneth Walker III, Breece Hall, JK Dobbins, and Rachaad White. Most Vikings fans have assumed that if Minnesota wants to improve the rushing offense, they’ll swing for somebody younger than Jones, who will turn 32 during the 2026 regular season.
A North Carolina Central Eagles helmet rests on the sideline before kickoff against Grambling State on Dec. 17, 2016, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. Team equipment sat ready before players took the field for the postseason matchup between the two historically successful programs. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports.
In the draft, notable running backs like Jeremyiah Love, Jadarian Price, Jonah Coleman, Emmett Johnson, and Nick Singleton are expected to fly off the board by the end of Round 4.
Conversely, Mosley isn’t quite like all these men. He’s closer to another version of Vikings running back Zavier Scott, who held the RB3 role in 2025.
Aaron Jones’s Future Looms
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Jones logged just 548 rushing yards in 2025, his lowest total since his rookie season in 2017, when he battled injuries and a crowded Green Bay Packers’ depth chart. He still logged 4.2 yards per carry, but his teammate, Mason, took a more prominent role, probably because of his youth and production.
The veteran tailback is paid handsomely, extended last year by former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah for $10 million per season, a contract that caught some off guard due to Jones’s age. Well, he showed up to 2025, battled injuries, and experienced a dip in efficiency. That’s how it goes for aging halfbacks.
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 24, 2024, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. Jones celebrated the scoring play as Minnesota built momentum in a divisional road matchup. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images.
Minnesota could release Jones in the next couple of weeks while saving up to $7.75 million. He’s a frequent cut candidate among Vikings fans and analysts. The Vikings could also restructure his contract.
Mosley is nowhere to be found on the Consensus Draft Big Board, and that is over 700 players deep. He’s a sleeper’s sleeper.
NEW DELHI: Fourteen-year-old cricket prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to make headlines with his record-breaking performances and growing list of rewards. After a sensational IPL 2025 season, he was gifted a brand-new car for winning the “Striker of the Season” award. The top model of the car costs over Rs 22 lakh in Delhi.
A loss against England in Kandy will end Pakistan’s hope for the semifinals | T20 World Cup
Vaibhav has recently been honoured for his performances at the ICC U19 World Cup, where India became champions. He met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and received Rs 50 lakh as a special reward for his achievements. Meanwhile, the BCCI also announced a Rs 7.50 crore reward for the Indian Under-19 team after they won the 2026 U19 World Cup.In the World Cup final against England, Vaibhav played a match-winning knock of 175 runs off just 80 balls, helping India win their sixth U-19 World Cup title. Watch Sooryavanshi receiving the car: He hit 15 fours and 15 sixes and reached his century in just 55 balls, one of the fastest in tournament history. He finished the tournament with 439 runs and was named Player of the Match in the final and Player of the Tournament.He first grabbed global attention in IPL 2025 when he smashed a 35-ball century, the fastest by an Indian and the second-fastest in IPL history. He also became the youngest centurion and debutant in IPL history. Rajasthan Royals signed him for Rs 1.1 crore, making him the youngest player ever bought in the league.Vaibhav is already India’s leading U-19 ODI run-scorer and has broken several youth cricket records with his aggressive batting style. He is now preparing for the 2026 IPL season and is expected to be one of Rajasthan Royals’ key players.
Leaping into action after a ball kicked by Istanbul Yurdum Spor’s goalkeeper knocked a low-flying seagull to the ground, team captain Gani Catan successfully revived the battered bird with rudimentary CPR. The seagull was subsequently taken away by medical staff for further treatment.
Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt reached the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday after a 2-1 win at Inter Milan secured a 5-2 aggregate victory, sealing the biggest result in the club’s history and setting up a tie with either Manchester City or Sporting Portugal.
An outstanding six-year run for left tackle Trent Williams with the San Francisco 49ers could be in danger of coming to an end. With Williams set to carry a $39 million cap number in 2026, he and the 49ers are engaged in talks but are struggling to find a contractual solution to the sizable impact he will have on the team’s payroll next season, according to ESPN. If the sides cannot find a middle ground, Williams could become a free agent this offseason.
The 49ers want to keep their star tackle in town despite the reported stalemate, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. John Lynch, the team’s general manager, effectively said as much Tuesday at the NFL Combine.
“In recent weeks, I’ve met with both Trent and with his agent, Vincent Taylor, and had really good, productive and substantive meetings,” Lynch said. “Here’s what I know. Trent loves being a Niner. We love having Trent as a Niner. It’s up to us to figure that out and to thread that needle.
“There’s some unique circumstances in that we all know what Trent is as a player and how great of a player he’s been. He’s gonna be 38 years old, so there’s some things that go into that. But I think we’re all on the same page and feel very positively about where that’s going.”
A release before June 1 would save the 49ers $4.7 million in cap space. If they were to release him after that date, they would save $15.5 million this year — though that would require them to split his dead cap hit across the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Williams, a five-time All-Pro honoree and 12-time Pro Bowler, would be among the most highly sought-after players of the 2026 free agent class. Even entering his age-38 season, the veteran tackle remains a premier blind-side protector with potentially multiple more years left in the tank. He said last offseason that he would “love to play until I’m 40.”
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The 49ers and Williams agreed in September 2024 to a restructured three-year deal that made him the NFL’s highest-paid offensive lineman that season.
One of the few accolades that Williams has left to add to his résumé is Super Bowl champion. Remaining with the 49ers should allow him to achieve that goal, but his significant cap hit could also limit San Francisco’s ability to surround him with enough talent to contend in a loaded NFC West. The 49ers secured a wild-card berth in 2025 despite finishing third in the division at 12-5. With two Super Bowl appearances and a pair of conference championship game berths since 2019, the 49ers are knocking on the door of a title. Losing one of the NFL’s best tackles without getting anything in return would be a significant blow in that quest.
Williams joined the 49ers in 2020 via a trade with the Washington Commanders. The former No. 4 overall pick spent the first decade of his career in Washington and was a perennial Pro Bowler. He took his game to the next level upon arriving on the West Coast, securing three consecutive first-team All-Pro honors and a second-team selection in 2025.
Several professional soccer matches in Mexico were postponed over the weekend after violence flared near Guadalajara, one of the country’s host cities for the 2026 World Cup. The decision came in the wake of a military operation that left cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” dead.
The killing of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartel leader has plunged parts of the country into chaos, impacting civilians and prompting visiting Americans to seek a return to the U.S.
Joe Haden, who had stints with the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers, is among the Americans who are hoping to return home as quickly as possible.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) warms up before playing the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field on Dec. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.(Philip G. Pavely/USA TODAY Sports)
Haden commented on the developments he’s noticed during his visit to Cabo during his latest appearance on his “Deebo & Joe” podcast. He also admitted he should have taken former Steelers’ teammate James Harrison’s warning about traveling to Mexico more seriously.
“I should’ve listened to you. I should’ve listened to you, Deebo,” Haden said in reference to Harrison’s message that stressed caution.
“Honestly, I’m a little spooked brother. I can’t even lie to you. It’s getting real tricky on this side of the world. I need to get back [my] feet planted on a U.S. territory. I’m not even trying to be funny, I’m a little spooked. Because when you’re talking cartel, they’re going against police. They run up at airports and stuff.”
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Joe Haden (23) of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles during the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on Aug. 12, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.(Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Haden’s appearance on the podcast was cut short as he left to finalize travel plans back to the U.S., leaving Harrison to host the remainder of the episode.
“I’m trying to book my stuff, I got a flight I can get now,” Haden said. “I really tried to get on this show to show you my face, let you know I am good, but I really do need to slide.”
Joe Haden (23) of the Pittsburgh Steelers stands on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, at Heinz Field on Oct. 17, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Haden was believed to be in Cabo San Lucas at the time the podcast was released.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said via X that the U.S. government provided intelligence support for the operation that led to the killing of “El Mencho.”
“‘El Mencho’ was a top target for the Mexican and United States government as one of the top traffickers of fentanyl into our homeland,” she wrote. She commended Mexico’s military for its work.
The killing of the drug lord set off several hours of roadblocks with burning vehicles, tactics commonly used by the cartels to block military operations. Videos circulated on social media showed smoke billowing over the tourist city of Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco, and people sprinting through the airport of the state’s capital in panic.
Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state, is slated to stage four matches during the 2026 World Cup, including two involving South Korea. Mexico, Spain, Uruguay and Colombia are also scheduled to play at the venue.
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Mexico’s national team remains set to host Iceland in a friendly Wednesday at Corregidora Stadium in Querétaro. As of Sunday, the Mexican soccer federation had not announced any changes to that match.
Not all sporting events were affected. Organizers of the Mexican Open in Acapulco said the ATP tournament would begin Monday at the GNP Arena as planned.
Fox News’ Landon Mion and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Barcelona’s new Marcus Rashford transfer attempt after Man United loanee’s ‘sacrifice’ – Manchester Evening News
Need to know
Marcus Rashford is spending the 2025/26 season on loan at Barcelona and they have the option to sign the England international permanently for £26m
21:51, 24 Feb 2026Updated 21:52, 24 Feb 2026
Marcus Rashford is spending the season on loan with Barcelona from Manchester United(Image: AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Here, the Manchester Evening News takes a look at the latest on Marcus Rashford’s future and the possibility of a permanent move to Barcelona…
Barcelona are reportedly attempting to negotiate down the £26million purchase option for Marcus Rashford ahead of a potential permanent move this summer.
The 28-year-old Manchester United academy graduate has enjoyed a stellar loan spell in Spain, netting ten goals and providing 13 assists across all competitions. His impressive form has included nine goal contributions in just eight Champions League matches.
Rashford’s resurgence at the Camp Nou has earned him a recall to the England squad, with Thomas Tuchel expected to include him in the World Cup squad.
Spanish outlet Sport reports that Barcelona sporting director Deco met with Rashford’s agent Arturo Canales on Monday to begin negotiations with United. However, Barca are hoping to reduce the agreed €30million (£26m) fee despite their intention to sign the forward permanently.
United are reported to be regretting the original deal with Barcelona, with club bosses now valuing Rashford closer to £50 million given his form and interest from other clubs.
Rashford himself appears settled in Spain, telling BBC Sport in December: “I don’t see anything here as like a pressure. It’s just, I’m here to play football. It’s been amazing. I feel welcome, I feel at home. I’ve just been enjoying every step of the way.”
Any hopes Barcelona have of reducing the transfer fee are considered incredibly low, with United holding firm on the agreed purchase option.
Another report in Sport recently claimed that Barcelona have decided to sign Rashford permanently, with the United loanee reported to be willing to “adjust his salary” as a lower amount in order to help get the deal over the line.
Two players with direct ties to Africa represented the continent in the 75th NBA All-Star Game last Sunday – Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers, Cameroon) and Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs, ties to Democratic Republic of the Congo) – which introduced a USA vs. World format.
USA Stars dominated the championship game with a 47–21 win over USA Stripes, led by a standout performance from Anthony Edwards, who was named the 2026 Kia All-Star MVP. It was the most-watched NBA All-Star Game in the U.S. in 15 years.
The weekend tipped off with the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and Castrol Rising Stars showcase on Friday night, where Team Vince clinched a narrow 25–24 victory over Team Melo in a competitive finale.
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Keshad Johnson (Miami Heat) won the AT&T Slam Dunk, Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers) edged Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns) to take the State Farm 3‑Point Contest, and Team Knicks triumphed in the Kia Shooting Stars competition on Saturday night.
As part of this year’s All-Star, seven top African prospects from or with direct ties to Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Nigeria, and Senegal participated in the 10th annual Basketball Without Borders (BWB) All-Star Camp.
Obinna Ekezie Jr., son of former NBA player Obinna Ekezie (Nigeria), was awarded the Defensive MVP and formed part of the camp’s All-Star Team alongside Cheickh Niang (Italy; ties to Senegal) and Caleb Ourigou (Côte d’Ivoire).
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Photo: Obinna Ekezie Jr. at 10th BWB All-Star Camp in Los Angeles, California
Photo: Pascal Siakam at 10th BWB All-Star Camp in Los Angeles, California
In the lead up to its sixth season which will tip off in South Africa on March 27, the Basketball Africa League (BAL) celebrated the continent’s culture and impact on the sidelines of the global showcase. The BAL Business Cocktail gathered more than 300 cultural taste makers, global entertainers, NBA legends and industry leaders, including representatives of BAL Foundational Partner Rwanda Development Board, highlighting the continent’s rising influence in sports, culture and creative industries, while emphasizing ongoing conversations around African investment, ownership, and the future of basketball.
Notable attendees included Rwanda Convention Bureau CEO Janet Kamerera, 2015 NBA champion Festus Ezeli, NBA legend Charles Smith, Somali-American basketball influencer Jamad Fiin and Kenyan singer and songwriter Bien.
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Photos: 2015 NBA champion Festus Ezeli and BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall at the BAL Business Cocktail in Los Angeles, California (left) and Bien and Jamad at Intuit Dome (right) on Feb. 13, 2026
Among global icons attending this year’s All-Star were also South African rugby champion Siya Kolisi and Grammy Award winner Tyla.
Team Canada men’s hockey coach Jon Cooper may not like the Olympics’ three-on-three overtime format, but it doesn’t matter at all.
It’s staying in place.
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) president Luc Tardif told The Athletic that, despite Cooper’s complaints following his team’s gold-medal loss to Team USA on Sunday, they will continue using the format in future tournaments.
Canada coach Jon Cooper answers to the media during a press conference following the Ice Hockey Men Final between United States and Canada on day sixteen of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy.(Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
“It’s the best rules to fit in a tight schedule,” Tardif told the outlet. “We have to figure out 30 games in 11 days for men and for the women 28 games in 13 days – 58 all together in 16 days.
“Huge challenge.”
The IIHF wanted to introduce the three-on-three format the NHL uses during its regular season to prevent the use of the shootout. However, the NHL does make the change to five-on-five hockey during the playoffs with no shootouts – only the game-winning goal.
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Cooper, though, couldn’t help himself when he ripped into the overtime format after watching Jack Hughes snipe the gold-medal goal past his goalie, Jordan Binnington.
“You take four players off the ice, now hockey’s not hockey anymore,” Cooper said, per the New York Post. “There’s a reason overtime and shootouts are in play – it’s all TV-driven to end games, so it’s not a long time. There’s a reason why it’s not in the Stanley Cup Final or playoffs.”
Head coach Jon Cooper of Team Canada speaks to his players after the team’s 3-2 victory in the Men’s Semifinals Playoff match between Canada and Finland on day fourteen of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 20, 2026 in Milan, Italy.(Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Overtime in the preliminary rounds of the Olympics lasted five minutes, with a five-round shootout transpiring if a game-winning goal wasn’t scored in that time. For the quarterfinals and semifinals, the overtime was boosted to 10 minutes, followed by 20 minutes in the gold-medal games.
Canada didn’t get as clean a look at the net as Hughes did on his game-winning shot, but they did have tons of chances during the three periods. In the end, the U.S. was able to keep the game notched at one apiece through 60 minutes, with tremendous saves by goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who was dubbed the “Secretary of Defense” by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth for his performance.
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After the game, Cooper wasn’t the only Canadian showing some bitterness about the result. Assistant captain Nathan MacKinnon, who missed a wide-open net in the third period that could’ve been the game-winner for Team Canada, made an interesting comment to the press.
“You be the judge of who was the better team today,” he said.
Head coach Jon Cooper of Team Canada takes part during training on day two of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 8, 2026 in Milan, Italy.(Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
While Cooper, MacKinnon, and the rest of Team Canada think about the what-ifs, Team USA took Air Force One to visit President Donald Trump on Tuesday prior to his State of the Union Address. The team was spotted in the Oval Office, where Trump congratulated every player in person on their tremendous accomplishment.
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The United States won its most golds in a single Winter Olympics (12), which included the women’s ice hockey team also beating Team Canada in overtime thanks to the heroics of Megan Keller.
Lionel Messi discussed his regret of not having learnt English when he was in school in a recent interview. The legendary Argentine is known to communicate in Spanish, having spoken English only on rare occasions.
In an appearance on the Miro De Atras podcast, Lionel Messi shared that he regrets not having learnt English in school. He said (via All About Argentina):
Thanks for the submission!
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“Not having learned English as a kid. I had the time to study at least English and I didn’t do it, and I regret it a lot. Later I found myself in situations where I was with incredible, amazing personalities, and I could have had a conversation with them but instead you feel kind of ignorant…”
Lionel Messi usually communicated in Spanish. He is also fluent in Catalan, having spent 17 years playing for Barcelona. However, he has been spotted speaking English a few times for advertisements. Some examples include a commercial for the movie Bad Boys starring Will Smith, a moment speaking to a referee during a recent MLS clash, and an eFootball commercial.
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The current MLS year did not begin well for Lionel Messi, as Inter Miami suffered a 3-0 loss to Los Angeles FC in their opening MLS game on Sunday, February 2022. The Argentine led the Herons to their first MLS Cup last year and was also the winner of the MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals to his name. He was also named the MLS MVP (Most Valuable Player) for the second consecutive time.
After a rough start, all eyes will be on Messi to replicate the previous year’s success with Inter Miami.
“We should never stop enjoying life”- Lionel Messi shares valuable advice for his fans
In his aforementioned interview on the MDA podcast, Lionel Messi discussed multiple facets of his life, including sharing his message for his fans and followers. The legend of the game believed one should always enjoy the present, and said (via All About Argentina):
“Today is a good day to enjoy. Sometimes it’s hard. Not all of us go through the same things, and there are people dealing with different and difficult situations too. But we should never stop enjoying life. Like I said before, today I enjoy much more what happens to me, what I do, my family, my children, the day-to-day life, the small things. And well, it’s always a good day to enjoy, because we don’t know what might happen tomorrow.”
Apart from the new MLS season, fans are also eagerly looking forward to Lionel Messi leading Argentina once again in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after his triumph in 2022. However, the Argentine has yet to confirm his decision to play or not. He is also expected to feature in the 2026 Finalissima, where Argentina will face Spain in Qatar on March 27.
Floyd Mayweather is set to return to professional boxing this year and pound-for-pound superstar Shakur Stevenson has revealed whether he would be willing to take on the 49-year-old, five division champion.
‘TBE’ hung up the gloves with a perfect 50-0 record back in 2017 after a knockout victory in a lucrative showdown with Conor McGregor, but Mayweather has continued to box in exhibition bouts ever since and has repeatedly warned that he may return to the professional scene.
His return will indeed come against former foe Pacquiao, after it was announced on Monday that the pair are set to meet in a rematch at the Sphere in Las Vegas in September, with the event broadcast live on Netflix.
After hearing the news of Mayweather’s return, Stevenson shot down any chances of him fighting the boxing legend down the line, admitting in an interview with DAZN that he doesn’t want to face somebody that ‘he looks up to’.
“Hell no, [I wouldn’t fight Floyd]. Understand this, I would not fight Floyd because I have watched him for years and years and years, and I look up to him.
“I don’t want to be in the ring with somebody that I look up to and no disrespect but he is older now, so I’m not trying to punch on my GOAT.”
