If you want to know how old was mayweather when he retired, the direct answer is 40 years old — Floyd Mayweather Jr. hung up his gloves for the final time after beating Conor McGregor in August 2017.
Fans asking how old was mayweather when he retired often get confused because he actually "retired" three separate times, at ages 30, 38, and 40, which is why the search keeps coming up. Born on February 24, 1977, he walked away with a perfect 50-0 professional record, something no other elite boxer of his era matched.
This article breaks down each retirement, the ages involved, why he kept coming back, and what his final exit means for boxing history. By the end, you'll know exactly which retirement counts and why.
The Final Answer: His Age at Last Retirement
Mayweather was 40 years and 5 months old when he retired for good after the McGregor fight on August 26, 2017. Anyone wondering how old was mayweather when he retired can confirm it with simple date math: his birthday is February 24, 1977.
That final bout took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and ended in a 10th-round technical knockout, per official BoxRec records, the sport's most widely used fight database. The win pushed his record to 50-0, surpassing Rocky Marciano's famous 49-0.
How to apply this: When citing his retirement age anywhere, use "40" with the August 2017 McGregor fight as the reference point — that's the date record-keepers recognize, and it's the answer to how old was mayweather when he retired.
The Three Retirements: Ages 30, 38, and 40
Understanding how old was mayweather when he retired requires knowing he stepped away three times. Each exit had different circumstances and each comeback had a financial trigger.
| Retirement | Year | His Age | Came Back For |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | June 2008 | 30 | Hatton rematch talks, then Marquez (2009) |
| Second | June 2015 | 38 | Bouts vs. Berto and McGregor |
| Final | August 2017 | 40 | Did not return — 50-0 stands |
The first retirement came after his 2007 win over Ricky Hatton, when contract disputes with promoter Bob Arum kept him out of the ring for nearly two years. The second followed his points win over Manny Pacquiao in May 2015.
So when people ask how old was mayweather when he retired, the honest answer depends on which exit they mean — but only the 2017 one is permanent.
How to apply this: If someone cites 2008 or 2015 as his retirement, correct the record — those were pauses, not the final exit.
Why He Came Back Twice Before Staying Retired
Money explains nearly every Mayweather comeback, and it also explains why the question of how old was mayweather when he retired has multiple answers. His 2015 fight against Pacquiao generated an estimated $410 million in total revenue, according to figures widely reported by ESPN, making it the richest fight in boxing history at the time.
The 2017 McGregor bout reportedly earned Mayweather in the range of $100 million or more from his share of pay-per-view sales, though exact payouts were never officially confirmed. "The money is already secured," Mayweather said in pre-fight interviews, framing his comebacks as business decisions rather than competitive ones.
His age mattered less than his marketability — he was still undefeated, still the biggest pay-per-view draw in the sport, and promotional companies kept offering nine-figure opportunities.
How to apply this: Whenever you evaluate a boxer's retirement announcement, check for pending fight purses — comeback announcements usually follow.
How His Retirement Age Compares to Other Legends
Mayweather retiring at 40 is actually typical for all-time greats, though the context differs. Most elite boxers exit in their late 30s or early 40s, often after losses. Mayweather left unbeaten, which is central to the story of how old was mayweather when he retired.
- Rocky Marciano retired at 32 with a 49-0 record — the youngest of the unbeaten legends.
- Joe Calzaghe retired at 36, also undefeated at 46-0.
- Manny Pacquiao fought past 42 before his final professional bout.
- Bernard Hopkins fought until age 51, setting longevity benchmarks.
What makes Mayweather's exit notable is the combination: an undefeated record, a retirement in his 40s, and a final fight that was among the highest-grossing ever. Most fighters his age who keep winning do so against faded opposition; Mayweather closed his career against a crossover star in front of a global audience.
How to apply this: Use these age comparisons when debating "greatest ever" lists — context around how old was mayweather when he retired, versus when other legends hung up their gloves, sharpens the argument.
Does His Retirement Age Affect His Legacy?
The age question matters because it shapes how historians judge his résumé. Knowing how old was mayweather when he retired — 40, with zero losses — means he never experienced the decline phase that tainted the final records of legends like Muhammad Ali, who lost his last two fights at age 38-39.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission's records confirm he passed all prefight medical requirements through his final bout, supporting the argument that he exited while still physically capable. Critics counter that the McGregor fight was a boxing-versus-MMA novelty rather than a genuine test, softening the "went out on top" narrative.
Either way, the 50-0 record at age 40 remains the centerpiece of his Hall of Fame case, and it was cemented the moment he announced his final retirement.
How to apply this: When citing his legacy, pair the retirement age with the record — "50-0 at 40" is the stat that carries weight in any debate.
Frequently Asked Questions About how old was mayweather when he retired
How old was Mayweather at his first retirement in 2008?
He was 30 years old when he first stepped away in June 2008, following his December 2007 win over Ricky Hatton. That retirement lasted about 18 months before he returned in July 2009 against Juan Manuel Marquez. This first exit is why answers to how old was mayweather when he retired vary across older articles.
Why did Mayweather retire three separate times?
Financial opportunity drove each decision, which complicates any single answer to how old was mayweather when he retired. He first retired during a promoter dispute, returned for massive paydays, and finally quit at 40 after the McGregor fight delivered one of the largest purses in sports history.
Each return was announced only after negotiations were complete, which is why his retirements always read as temporary.
Was Mayweather still winning when he retired?
Yes — he won his final fight by 10th-round TKO and never lost as a professional. His record stands at 50-0 with 27 knockouts, so whoever asks how old was mayweather when he retired should also know he left on a win. This separates him from most greats, who absorbed losses in their final bouts before stepping away.
Who did Mayweather fight in his last professional match?
Conor McGregor, the Irish MMA star, in a sanctioned boxing match on August 26, 2017, in Las Vegas. It was McGregor's professional boxing debut and Mayweather's 50th bout. No other opponent was ever announced afterward, confirming the finality of the retirement and settling the question of how old was mayweather when he retired for good.
Could Mayweather come out of retirement again?
At his current age, a sanctioned professional comeback is highly unlikely, and he has stated the McGregor fight was his last. However, he has participated in exhibition bouts since retiring — including a 2021 exhibition against Logan Paul — which are unofficial and do not affect his 50-0 record or the answer to how old was mayweather when he retired.
Conclusion: The Bottom Line on Mayweather's Retirement Age
Floyd Mayweather retired at 40 years old, after the August 2017 victory over Conor McGregor closed his career at 50-0. If you remember one thing about how old was mayweather when he retired, make it this: the only retirement that counts is the 2017 one.
Key takeaways:
- His final retirement age was 40 (born February 24, 1977).
- He briefly retired twice before — at 30 (2008) and 38 (2015) — which causes most of the confusion around how old was mayweather when he retired.
- He left undefeated, a rarity among boxers who fight into their 40s.
- Exhibition matches since 2017 have no bearing on his official record.
If you're researching boxing history or settling a debate, verify any fighter's retirement details through BoxRec, the sport's official record database. Bookmark it the next time a "did he really retire?" question comes up — the record book settles it every time.
