LAS VEGAS -- Floyd Mayweather has always said no fighter stands a chance when it comes to taking a belt away from him. So, apparently, he's giving them up.
After defeating Manny Pacquiao via unanimous decision in a welterweight title unification bout Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) casually mentioned he would vacate the world titles he currently holds on Monday. Mayweather, 38, entered Saturday with two titles already at 147 pounds and two more at 154 pounds.
Pressed on why he would willingly forfeit the titles, Mayweather said he wanted to give other athletes a chance to hold one.
"I don't know if it will be Monday or maybe a couple weeks," Mayweather said. "I'll talk to my team and see what we need to do. Other fighters need a chance. Give other fighters a chance. I'm not greedy.
"I'm a world champion in two different weight classes. It's time to let other fighters fight for the belt."
Widely considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport, Mayweather has been a world champion in five weight classes. He won his first title as a super featherweight in 1998.
Mayweather has one fight remaining on his current contract with Showtime. He has stated several times that he intends to retire after a final fight in September, although he admitted during Saturday's postfight news conference that he is "human" and occasionally contradicts himself.
He mostly deflected questions regarding any desire to move past former heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano -- who achieved a 49-0 record with 43 KOs -- saying he didn't get into the sport to "outdo" anyone.
Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe reiterated Mayweather's desire to let other fighters compete for a title. Neither he nor Mayweather offered details on who the champion might fight in September.
"We've been in the sport almost 20 years," Ellerbe said. "There are young, up-and-coming fighters. It's about giving other guys opportunities. He's accomplished everything in the sport. What more can he accomplish?
"He just answered [what's next]. Let him go home and relax, enjoy time with his family."