Floyd Mayweather Jnr announces December 19 ‘tune-up’ ahead of proposed Ryan Garcia clash

Floyd Mayweather Jnr has announced that he will face Australian Matty “The Jedi” Floyd in an exhibition bout on December 19 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 49-year-old Mayweather announced the contest on social media, suggesting that it will serve as preparation for a proposed professional fight with WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia in 2027.

“This is a tune up before me and Ryan Garcia lock up,” Mayweather wrote.

Garcia claimed last month that Mayweather had contacted him about challenging for his WBC title. Garcia subsequently announced that the pair had agreed on an official contest, which would count towards Mayweather's unblemished 50-0 professional record.

The latest announcement adds another fight to Mayweather's increasingly crowded schedule, with the former five-weight world champion having also agreed to face Mike Tyson in an exhibition and longtime rival Manny Pacquiao in a professional rematch.

Neither contest has taken place, however, and it remains unclear when either will be staged.

The announcements have come amid reports of financial difficulties involving Mayweather, who has reportedly received advances on his purses for the Tyson and Pacquiao contests. It has been reported that contractually Mayweather must compete in his exhibition with Tyson before facing Pacquiao.

It is unclear if Mayweather has sought permission from CSI and MP promotions, the organizers of the Tyson and Pacquiao events, to proceed with his December 19 exhibition in Bangkok, or how the latest announcement might affect his other proposed fights.