Zambidis to Face Mayweather in Athens Bout

Greek kickboxing legend Michalis “Iron Mike” Zambidis announced Tuesday that he will face undefeated boxing icon Floyd Mayweather in an Athens exhibition bout scheduled for June 27. The Mayweather Zambidis fight is set to take place at the OAKA Arena, according to promotional materials shared on Zambidis’ social media channels. The event will be promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Zambidis Club, and Front Row Fight Series, with organizers promising a live global broadcast.

The 45-year-old Greek fighter posted a promotional poster on Instagram declaring that “history is about to be made” with the matchup. However, Mayweather himself has not yet publicly confirmed his participation in the event. Additionally, no broadcasting partner has been officially announced for the Athens showdown.

Questions Surround Mayweather Exhibition Plans

The announcement raises uncertainty about Mayweather’s previously scheduled exhibition against Mike Tyson, which had been expected to occur this spring. According to reports, that bout has not been officially canceled, leaving questions about the 48-year-old boxer’s immediate plans. Mayweather retired from professional boxing in 2017 with an unblemished 50-0 record that included 27 knockouts.

Since stepping away from professional competition, Mayweather has participated in four exhibition matches. His most recent appearance came in August 2024, when he faced John Gotti III in an eight-round no-decision contest. These exhibition bouts have become a regular feature of Mayweather’s post-retirement career, allowing him to remain active without risking his perfect professional record.

Zambidis’ Kickboxing Legacy

Athens-born Michalis Zambidis competed professionally in kickboxing from 2000 to 2015, establishing himself as one of Greece’s most decorated combat sports athletes. Standing 1.67 meters tall, he compiled an impressive record of 157 wins against 181 total fights, with 87 victories coming by knockout across welterweight and middleweight divisions.

The Greek fighter captured 18 world championship titles across multiple promotions, including K-1, Superkombat, and W5. Meanwhile, his aggressive fighting style and knockout power earned him recognition on the international stage, with podium finishes at the prestigious K-1 World Max finals in both 2010 and 2012. His career highlights include victories over respected opponents such as Albert Kraus, Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto, Gurkan Ozkan, and Jenk Behic.

Return From Retirement

Zambidis last competed in kickboxing on June 27, 2015—exactly 11 years before the proposed Mayweather Zambidis fight—when he defeated Steve Moxon in Athens. In contrast to his extended kickboxing retirement, he briefly returned to competition in 2019 for a single professional boxing match, which he won before stepping away again. This upcoming exhibition would mark his first bout in over five years.

The matchup between the two combat sports icons represents a significant cross-discipline exhibition, pairing a pure boxer against a kickboxing specialist. However, the rules and format of the contest have not been disclosed by promoters.

Official confirmation from Mayweather’s camp and details regarding ticket sales, broadcast arrangements, and bout regulations are expected in the coming weeks. The event’s status remains tentative until both fighters and all promotional partners provide formal verification of the June 27 date at OAKA Arena.