Floyd Mayweather to Face Kickboxing Icon Iron Mike Zambidis in Athens This June
Floyd Mayweather announced on Monday that he will face kickboxing legend Mike Zambidis on June 27, 2026, at OAKA Arena in Athens, Greece. The announcement was posted by Zambidis on social media, displaying a fight poster listing Mayweather Promotions, Zambidis Club, and Front Row Fight Series as the event organizers.
Floyd Mayweather vs. Iron Mike Zambidis
The fight date coincides with exactly 11 years since Zambidis competed in his final kickboxing match at the same venue on June 27, 2015. Mayweather has not publicly confirmed the bout on his own social media channels, leaving some details unclear. The poster indicates the event will be broadcast worldwide, though no official broadcaster has been announced.
This announcement has thrown Mayweather‘s previously scheduled exhibition bout with Mike Tyson into doubt. That fight was announced in September 2025 and was expected to take place in spring 2026. Mayweather’s last boxing appearance was an exhibition against John Gotti III in August 2024.
Who is Iron Mike Zambidis?
Michalis “Iron Mike” Zambidis is a retired Greek kickboxing champion from Athens, born on July 15, 1980. He stands 167 centimeters tall and competed at welterweight and middleweight divisions during his 15-year professional career from 2000 to 2015.
Zambidis compiled an impressive record of 157 wins and 24 losses in 181 total fights, with 87 victories coming by knockout. He earned the nickname “Turkofagos” (Turkeater) after winning 11 consecutive fights against Turkish opponents early in his career.
The Greek fighter became an 18-time world champion, capturing titles across multiple organizations including K-1, SUPERKOMBAT, W5, and WIPU. He competed extensively in the K-1 MAX circuit, where he became known for his knockout power and exciting fighting style. Zambidis finished third at the K-1 World MAX finals in both 2010 and 2012.
His career featured notable victories over Albert Kraus, whom he knocked out in the second round during his 2003 Japan debut, and Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto, whom he defeated with a right hook in 2005. He also defeated Jenk Behic twice, Gurkan Ozkan twice, and Hassan Kassrioui.
Zambidis announced his retirement in May 2015 after 24 years in combat sports. His final fight occurred on June 27, 2015, when he defeated Australian champion Steve Moxon at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Athens at the Iron Challenge event. He briefly returned to professional boxing in March 2019 for a single bout against Antonio Gomez, which he won despite sustaining a first-round injury.
Since retirement, Zambidis opened the Zambidis Club gym in Glyfada, Greece, in May 2010, where he continues to train fighters. He has not competed in kickboxing since 2015, making this potential Mayweather bout his first ring appearance in over a decade.
