FLOYD MAYWEATHER was ‘fired up tremendously’ after watching Claressa Shields training in his Las Vegas gym.
The American legend, who announced he will return in an exhibition in Dubai on February 20, welcomed Shields to his boxing club ahead of her next fight.
And after watching the multi-weight women’s champion in action, it inspired Mayweather, 44, in his own training.
His coach Gerald Tucker told Vegas Insider: “Floyd also was motivated by Claressa’s work.
“He told me several times while watching her train with me that, ‘That girl can fight, She can fight’.
“And I felt the energy it gave him as we trained right after her gym session and Floyd was fired up tremendously from watching his mentee train with so much passion.
“Floyd was more than happy to have Claressa in camp with him.
“Floyd mentioned coming to the fight at the gym while Claressa was working on the bag.
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“He asked us if we wanted him there, and of course we said, ‘Hell yeah’.
“He’s gonna try his best to come and support Claressa and get some more training while here to prepare for his upcoming fight later this month in Dubai.”
Although Mayweather officially retired in 2017 after beating Conor McGregor, 33, exhibition comebacks have kept him in the ring.
Most recently, he was taken the distance by YouTuber Logan Paul, 26, but did give away TWO STONE in weight.
Mayweather confirmed he will fight again this month on top of the the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah’s HELIPAD.
Floyd’s in great shape. He was sparring a 21-year-old for eight rounds and he wasn’t even always taking breaks between rounds.
Claressa Shields
Online vlogger Money Kicks – real name Rashed Belhasa – had revealed he was in talks to be the opponent.
Meanwhile Mayweather has been training for his latest return in Miami and Las Vegas, under new head coach Tucker, also Shields’ assistant trainer.
Shields said: “Floyd’s in great shape. He was sparring a 21-year-old for eight rounds and he wasn’t even always taking breaks between rounds.
“He can still do whatever he wants to do inside that ring. If he wanted to, he’d give all those guys problems at 147 and 154.
“From what I saw, his legs and his motor are still working.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk