By Luis Sandoval

You know a Floyd Mayweather fight is just around the corner when his 4 part All Access series begins. Mayweather is the world’s highest paid athlete and number one boxer and he’s both for a reason. The entertainment with Mayweather begins way in advance of the actual fight and this documentary inside look is a big part of it.

His dance partner this time is hard hitting Marcos Maidana who brings his own quiet flare to the show. While he may not be the most outspoken fighter, he makes up for it with his story and confidence.

The first episode opens up with Mayweather as he talks about not just wanting to be the best now, but to be recognized as the best there ever was and ever will be.

“Is it about the money? Absolutely. Is it about the fame? Absolutely, it’s everything wrapped in one. I want to be the best. Not just the best fighter. I want to be the best athlete period. When I leave, I will be known as TBE. And that’s the best ever” said Mayweather.

Floyd promises to sell us a lifestyle in this series that we have never seen before and he makes good on that promise immediately as we find out he is purchasing his 88th luxury vehicle from a dealership. The odometers on these cars are lucky to hit 2500 before he decides to get a different one. On this particular night he purchases a Ferrari and a Bentley as casually as we would buy a pair of jeans.

We also find out the champ’s four year engagement to Miss Jackson is over and while they’ve gone their separate ways, Floyd assures they have remained friends.

In Santa Fe Argentina however, Marcos Maidana is still with his fiancée as they await the birth of his daughter. Maidana’s departure to the United States is delayed until his daughter is born and must prepare away from his trainer Robert Garcia.

A walk into his favorite team’s soccer stadium is proof of how big this fight is and how popular Maidana has become in his native land as he’s greeted with cheers and chants. It’s the same cheers he heard when he defeated Adrien Broner last December as that night is recounted in detail. That fight is the reason he’s in the position he’s in now to face Mayweather.

Mayweather and Broner have developed a friendship in the last year but Mayweather reminds that talking a good game also requires for you to put in the work.

“My man, I’m training. I’m making you think I’m partying but my black ass is training. You got to fight your way through this sh*t. Adrien Broner got out hustled by Marcos Maidana. You can’t take nothing for granted” said Floyd.

Mayweather believes in hard work and has developed a reputation as arguably the hardest working fighter in the game. It’s something he wants to pass down to the younger generation coming up as he has numerous young kids in his gym who are learning the ropes and soaking up his knowledge.

Back in Argentina, Maidana must make sure he’s getting in shape and preparing himself properly as he works with someone who has known him since he started the sport. In the midst of it all, his daughter finally arrives as Maidana becomes a father for a 2nd time. She’s also become the motivation and the reason to win this upcoming fight and while he has to eventually leave her and his fiancée behind, it’s a sacrifice that could provide tremendous results for them.

Floyd also spends times with his kids as he brings them into town. He’s a father of four and reminds that his family comes before anything and anybody. After putting his kids to bed, the champ hits Las Vegas and goes for some late night shopping as well as a ride to get a spectacular view of the strip.

This series has once again reminded us of the flashy lifestyle Mayweather leads but it also gave us a better look at Maidana who is under the microscope for the first time. The first episode did a nice job building up the fight as the training and preparation should follow.

Grade: 4/5

You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter & Instagram @Truewest007