Boxers making an unexpected return to the ring is something that has become more common in recent years.
From Mike Tyson returning to face Jake Paul, to Manny Pacquiao’s proposed world title comeback in 2025, fan favorites are returning to get back in the ring.
May 2025 would also see the return of former world champion Ricardo Mayorga in an exhibition bout.
The former Oscar De La Hoya opponent Mayorga returned to the ring at age 51 and was able to impress in his performance.
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51-year-old Ricardo Mayorga knocked out Luis Campas in exhibition boxing fight
Despite his last professional boxing fight coming in 2019, former two-division world champion Mayorga competed in an exhibition bout on May 17th, 2025.
Fighting in his native Nicaragua, Mayorga faced former world champion Luis ‘Yoriboy’ Campas from Mexico. The two competed in a non-professional, six-round bout, as Mayorga emerged the winner.
The third round of the bout saw Mayorga knock down Campas, who was 53 as he stepped into the ring. A right hand from the Nicaraguan would land cleanly on Campas. However, the Mexican would survive to see out the round.
This would be the only knockdown of the fight as Mayorga led the fight against his fellow veteran, despite being out of the ring for six years.
There was a good display of sportsmanship between the two fighters, who went the distance in Nicaragua. ‘El Matador’ Mayorga was announced the winner of the exhibition via decision.
Ricardo Mayorga’s last professional win came in 2017
Mayorga’s exhibition win was the first time he had his hand raised in the ring since 2017.
Fighting then also in Nicaragua, he earned a third-round TKO win over Feudal Zepeda (12-17-1), to improve his record to 32-9-1.
The win would see Mayorga bounce back from a knockout loss to Shane Mosley after being defeated by the American for the second time in 2015. Mosley first defeated Mayorga in 2008.
‘El Matador’ would have three more professional fights after his win over Zepeda. However, he was not able to find success in the bouts.
Losing once per calendar year from 2017 to 2019, Mayorga was stopped three times.