By Vadim Pushkin
Former five division world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (49-0, 26KOs), who retired in September, was pressed by local reporters in Russia to discuss the possibility of returning to the ring in 2016.
Mayweather made $300 million for his decision win over Manny Pacquiao on May 2nd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. A rematch won't pay as much, but even half that amount is enough to tempt most fighters to return from retirement.
The unbeaten boxer came to Moscow to break a Guinness World Record by hosting the biggest boxing workout.
Mayweather, 38-years-old, said he walked away at the right time and says his health is far more important than a large amount of money.
"In the US there is a saying - money does not make the man, the man makes the money," Mayweather said.
"I made the impossible possible. Going into a match, I never thought about the money. I was thinking about the fans and how to beat the opponent. The goal was to provide for my family. But the money for me was not the most important thing. Right now my ultimate goal is to help other people, to help people in other countries. I left boxing because my health is more important than money."
Mayweather described Russia as a "very strong country" and said he was very interested in opening a school in the country to help build young talent and teach prospects.
"Why did I chose Moscow for the training class? My American fans have been with me from the beginning. But every day I grow and become a world figure. Now I am ready to meet my fans [in other countries]."
Mayweather praised former champion Roy Jones Jr., who recently became a Russian citizen.
"I want to congratulate Roy Jones. He is a good man who is trying to develop boxing here," Mayweather said.
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