Why did Mayweather retire in 2008?

[Santa_]

Hmm I wonder...

[Outwest Exp 355]

There were no big fights out there besides Cotto, who wasn’t a viable option at the time. Margarito and Paul Williams weren’t big fights.

[bballchump11]

Again, simple excuses. The reality is, he was being pressured into fighting either guy, both who were long, volume punchers with stamina to match. He said it himself, “im not trying to fight no welterweights.”

You realize Margarito just lost right around the time Mayweather retired to Williams and then Williams lost to Quintana months afterward?

[Pigeons]

People posting Margarito's picture like he didn't pack cement into his gloves his entire career. Stop being shameful!

[Fists_of_Fury]

Op doesn't want a logical answer so...

He needed to bulk up and use PEDs. Let other fighters beat eachother. He was ducking Pacquiao that early and got so scared he retired. He was ducking Williams and/or Margacheato and retired. That should cover all the lame dumbass things op and his gay buddied are looking for.

[Mushashi]

The De La Hoya rematch fell through because Floyd felt he deserved a bigger slice, he believed he was the new sheriff in town after beating the Cash Cow. DLH didn't budge so Floyd was like fk it and went to WWE lol

It's true his body did need a break and I think he wanted to enjoy his newfound celebrity after transcending the sport with his victories over DLH and Hatton in 07.

So the plan changed to DLH fighting the winner of Margarito vs Cotto. Hoping Cotto would come through with the W. And Floyd wasn't going to fight Cotto because he was still with TR and didn't want to give Arum a dime. After Plasterito wrecked Cotto's prime, DLH chose Manny who last fought at 135 at that point. Ultimate cherry pick gone wrong

Fast forward to May 2009 I believe the day of or the day after Manny lit Hatton up, Floyd announces his comeback against Marquez for July. His choice of opponent in other words says "I'm coming for you Manny" because during his absence boxing media and publications crowned Manny as pound for pound king. In fact they called the promo for Marquez fight "pound for pound" both of them taking partial shots at Manny. And not forgetting Floyd's infamous Hitlist of the all fighters he was planning to take out. Good times

[Beercules]

Letting other guys beat each other is my only other guess

^^^^^ this right here

[champion4ever]

He basically priced himself out of the Oscar rematch. Then there was the feud with his pops. There was a lot of drama going on in his life at the time.

[THEFRESHBRAWLER]

When you’re TBE and a living legend you can do whatever you want to do.

[champion4ever]

One of Mayweather's last parting shots after the Ricky Hatton fight to Larry Merchant during his post fight interview when asked about fighting other welterweights was "I won't let the sport of boxing retire me. I'll retire from the sport".