Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr has suggested that he might have an interest in buying Premier League club Newcastle United.

Mayweather, who boasts a 50-0 record and won world titles in five different weight classes, was at an event in the North East at the weekend as part of his ‘an evening with’ tour.

Nicknamed “Money” because of his lucrative paydays and ostentatious lifestyle which he flaunts regularly on social media, the 43-year-old has reportedly made $1billion during his career and appears open to investing his wealth in the Magpies.

Newcastle fans are desperate for the club to be taken over after almost 13 years of Mike Ashley’s ownership which has seen the once-proud club suffer two relegations and endured the indignity of having their club’s St James’ Park stadium renamed after Ashley’s sports retail company.

Given the intense desire of fans to be rid of Ashley, and with talk of rival takeover interest fading, Mayweather played to the crowd.

Asked if he was “very, very interested” in buying the club, he said: 

“In the US, we call it soccer, but the Newcastle football team is an unbelievable team, a hell of a team.”

The American added to cheers: “If the people want me to buy the Newcastle team, let me know.”

TMZ reported Mayweather had an interest in purchasing a stake in Newcastle, although no negotiations had taken place.

Newcastle are 13th in the Premier League, eight points clear of the bottom three after beating Southampton on Saturday, and will play holders Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals later in March.