By Luis Sandoval
Floyd Mayweather has made it no secret that 30 months isn’t just the length of his lucrative contract with Showtime; those 30 months are also what separates him and the end of his career as a fighter. Mayweather has been atop of the sport for nearly two decades and at 36, he’s a lot closer to the end than he is to the beginning.
Mayweather of course won’t step away from the game completely as he is also doubles as a promoter with his growing company of Mayweather Promotions and The Money Team. But one other role Floyd could be taking is that of a head trainer.
“I think one day I'll be one of the biggest trainers in the sport. Absolutely. I think I'll be one of the biggest trainers in the sport. You seen I got J'Leon Love through his tough fight on Showtime. I don't think anybody else could've got him through it like I did. They probably could've but it would've been a little bit tougher” revealed Mayweather.
Mayweather’s promotional venture is already moving ahead successfully as this past February, long time contender Ishe Smith became the first world champion under the Mayweather Promotions banner. Aside from training fighters, Floyd believes he also has an eye for talent as it was he who revived Ishe Smith’s career and put him in a position to win a world title.
“I boxed Ishe when I was a kid when I came out here. We was teenagers, we was young. I came out to Las Vegas to visit my uncle and he was the first guy I ever boxed and he always gave me great work. Always been solid and tough. And with me boxing him I said 'you know what, he can be champion. I know it'. I boxed him and said this guy can be champion. When I boxed J'Leon Love I said this guy can be champion. I can sit on the outside of the ring and watch a guy box and say 'you know what, he can be champion'.”
Champions is what Mayweather is hoping his stable of young fighters all eventually will become under his promotional banner and tutelage. While his time in this sport is now limited, he hopes to be able to pass down the knowledge he has soaked up over the years and help his young stable of fighters be successful.
“My plans are to continue to support my fighters. Support all fighters that are in the sport of boxing. I love all the young fighters. They keep me hungry and if I can teach them anything, I'm here to teach them. I have Ishe Smith who is now world champion. I can make the impossible possible. My team is huge. We got Badou Jack, J'Leon Love, and [Luis] Cuba [Arias]. These guys are tough, these guys are dedicating themselves to the sport ” said Mayweather.
While it appears Mayweather will still be a part of the sport for years to come, at the moment he’s still a fighter and he has a tough assignment on May 4th as he takes on Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero.
You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter @Truewest007. You can also tune in to BoxingScene Radio, Boxingscene’s official audio show every Tuesday from 6-8PM PST with hosts Ernest Gabion, Luis Sandoval, and Ryan Burton.
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