Legendary former boxing world champion Floyd Mayweather will face Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers in his first United Kingdom bout next month after his initial opponent pulled out.
The 50-0 boxer hung up his gloves in 2017 having never fought outside of America in his professional career, but has travelled the world taking on exhibition bouts since. He has competed in Japan and Dubai multiple times, as well as facing YouTuber Logan Paul in Miami in the summer of 2021.
And after Muay-Thai champion Liam Harrison pulled out of a bout at the O2 Arena on February 25, Mayweather has announced that he will face Chalmers, 35. The Newcastle native is best known for his stint as a star on MTV reality show Geordie Shore as well as a number of others, but has a fighting background in MMA under the Bellator and BAMMA banners, as well as recently winning his boxing debut.
“I was originally supposed to face a different opponent, but injuries happen and I’m glad that Aaron Chalmers could step up so that we could give the fans what they want,” Mayweather said in a statement this evening. “The fans in the UK have always been great to me and supported me throughout my career, so an event like this has been a long time coming. I’m excited to add more history to The O2 arena in London.”
“I’ve been training with Adam Booth in the boxing gym and I’m eager to make a name for myself in the boxing world,” Chalmers added in a press release. “I jumped on this opportunity immediately. It’s an honour to share the ring with one of the greatest fighters of all time and I’m definitely going to take advantage of it.”
One of the most legendary boxers in history, Mayweather registered a number of famous victories, including wins against Manny Pacquiao, Oscar de la Hoya, Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, Marcos Maidana, Conor McGregor and Juan Manuel Marquez, as well as a triumph over Ricky Hatton in 2007.
He hinted earlier in January that Britain would be the next stop on his exhibition tour, saying: "In February, we're looking forward to coming here and putting on an exhibition for the fans in the UK, because I never had a chance to come over here and fight when I was actively boxing as a professional. So, hopefully in February, I'll come over and do an exhibition if it's possible.”
Are you going to buy a ticket to see Floyd Mayweather's first fight in the UK? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
Mayweather's famed boxing career reserved him to the bright lights of major arenas in America, but he has had some memorable nights in the UK over the years. His promotional tours for bouts with Hatton and McGregor brought him to British fans for packed-out press conferences, and he developed an affinity for the supporters despite being roundly booed in those instances.
He most recently travelled to the UK for a press conference with YouTube star Deji, whom he stopped in a Dubai exhibition last October. Mayweather has also toured the country on public speaking engagements and was due to face YouTuber AnEsonGib before talks broke down at the last minute.
Chalmers last fought back in June, when he defeated journeyman Alexander Zeledon in his first boxing match. He trains under famed coach Adam Booth and works alongside the likes of Michael Conlan as part of his camps, with the intention being to book a number of big-name money fights before he retires from combat sports.
