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Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been in Athens since Wednesday morning as he prepares for his matchup against Greek fighter Mike Zambidis this weekend.
Mayweather, 49, is due to fight “Iron Mike” on Saturday at the OAKA indoor arena in the Greek capital in what will be the American’s first fight on Greek soil.
Ahead of the bout, he spoke with Euronews about his career, his fitness and his love of Greece.
“I gave the sport a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get to this point,” Mayweather, who has won all 50 of his professional fights, said. “I’m very, very thankful for the support from people from all around the world, people from all walks of life”.
“Boxing has been good to me. The fans have been good to me, and I love going out and displaying my skills and putting on a show for the people,” he added.
Mayweather has come out of retirement multiple times over the course of his career, most recently in February when he announced he would return to professional boxing after facing former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in an exhibition fight.
He is due to face his old nemesis Manny Pacquiao, 47, in Las Vegas in September.
Mayweather told Euronews that he feels in a good place ahead of a busy year of fights, thanking his workout regime and defensive style for having helped preserve his body.
“I’m in great shape. I work out every day, and I really never took any abuse in the sport of boxing,” he said. “So just by being smart, being intelligent, being a very defensive fighter and being a calculated fighter, I’m able to still compete at this age”.
While Mayweather has fought all around the world, he appeared to be looking forward to making his debut in Greece.
“It’s always great to come to Greece, it’s always a beautiful place. Athens, Mykonos and Santorini. Every time I come to Greece, I always make those three stops,” he said, adding: “I’m happy that I’m back”.
At the end of the interview, Mayweather also offered some advice to aspiring young boxers: “To all the young people that I inspire, and if I don’t inspire, this should inspire you. Believe in yourself. Believe in your skills, believe in your talent, and most of all, give it 100% when you go out there and perform”.