"From Pillar to Post": Mayweather's Burden

"From Pillar to Post": Mayweather's Burden By Ryan Songalia 8-15-06 http://www.nemzetisport.hu/db/00/BB/i0001E0BB6b02c381a203.jpg The pound for pound title is a prestigious honor that comes with many benefits and stipulations. Such a distinction enhances a fighters marketability and ameliorates their standing among the public consensus. Along with the esteem and advantages that are associated with being the elite of the elite comes responsibility and expectations. With a record of 36-0 (24 KO) and title belts in 4 divisions, much is to be anticipated from the universally recognized pound for pound king “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather Jr. Unparalleled physical ability and technical aptitude have made him into a great boxer, yet his considerable attributes have failed to translate into the kind of mainstream acceptance that other similarly accomplished fighters have received. Following his Silver medal winning effort in the 1996 Olympics, the standard of success was set at a prodigious height. After 17 fights, Mayweather began his sojourn to fulfill the lofty expectations that were set for his career. In his first attempt at gaining a world title, Mayweather annhilated respected champion Genaro Hernandez, annexing the WBC Junior Lightweight title and setting the tempo for his precipitous climb atop the boxing hierarchy. After cleaning out the division, Mayweather abdicated his throne at super featherweight to move up to challenge Lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo. Thought to be an easy night for Mayweather, Castillo had his adversary's brain trusts biting their nails as Floyd barely escaped with a decision victory. For Mayweather’s part, he didn’t let the image of him being outslugged down the stretch of his previous fight be the everlasting image of their encounter. Opting to fight an immediate return with the tough Mexican, Mayweather came back and earned a unanimous verdict from the judges, answering any questions they had of his competitive edge. After conquering two divisions in impressive fashion, boxing experts declared Mayweather the can’t miss heir apparent to the pound for pound mantle. Just as the public had begun to appreciate the accomplishments of “Pretty Boy” Floyd, Mayweather’s public image and appeal took a sour turn that has created a confusing conflict between achievement and perception. As Mayweather's star began to ascend, he made as many headlines for his fistic escapades outside the ring as he did inside the ring. In December of 2003, Mayweather turned himself into authorites after neglecting to appear at a hearing for an assault charge. The attention stemmed from an incident at a Las Vegas night club in which he allegedly kicked a bouncer while another man broke a bottle over his head. Later that month, Mayweather was charged with assaulting the mother of one of his children in the parking lot of a nightclub. In her official police statement, Josie Harris claimed that Mayweather, whose nickname was carried by a notorious bank robber from the 1930's, had punched and kicked her during an altercation. The woman later altered her story, claiming that she was the instigator and was afraid of facing prosecution. In similar circumstances, the mother of another one of his children Melissa Brim, filed a $1 million lawsuit for assault and battery that was later dropped. He was later convicted of attacking two women at a Las Vegas discoteque, receiving a one year suspended sentence for his transgressions. Endorsement deals tend to avoid athletes with criminal records like the plague. In public light, Mayweather's derisive attitude has alienated some fans and members of the media. Many are turned off by his tactless gibing of opponent's, prefering to play the bad guy ala Hector Camacho. From telling Corrales that he would be dedicating the fight to battered women worldwide, then being accused of doing the same thing his opponent had been convicted of, Mayweather's public persona has been less than befitting of his "Pretty Boy" monicker. Mayweather possesses the ability and charisma that could make him a cross over star like De La Hoya and Ray Leonard, only to be impeded by a recurring history of detrimental extra curricular behavior. If he expects to become a star outside of the sport, an attitude adjustment may work in his favor. Watching the junior welterweight division blossom into a Mecca of exceptional talent, the mouths of boxing enthusiasts everywhere salivated at the possible matchups that became feasible when Mayweather announced he would be moving up to the 140 pound limit. In his first major fight in his new division, Mayweather signed for his first Pay Per View headlining fight against crowd favorite Arturo "Thunder" Gatti. By that time, Mayweather had already inherited the distinction of being the best fighter in the world. Critics bashed Mayweather for taking a fight that's result was apparent from the time both men put their signatures on the contract. During the promotion of their showdown, Mayweather vilified the fan favorite Gatti with degrading remarks. Mayweather made the build up ugly as he referred to Gatti as a "C + fighter" and a "paper champion". When they finally met in Gatti's adopted hometown of Atlantic City, the partisan crowd let their distaste apparent as they booed and jeered the Grand Rapids fighter. There were to be no surprises that night, as Mayweather destroyed and embarrassed Gatti while gaining a trinket that he previously described as a "paper title". Expecting to be lauded for his predictable victory, Mayweather was met by a collective "So what?" by some who were less than awed by his opponent selection. The irony of his pre-fight class The world awaited Mayweather's next opponent, as the possibilities of showdowns with Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, and other tough tests all loomed on the horizon. Instead of clearing up the obvious business that still required attention at 140, Mayweather elected to move up once again to the welterweight division. After dispatching a faded Sharmba Mitchell, the roads seemed clear for a welterweight showdown with Zab "Super" Judah. All of those plans seemed to go out the window when Judah was upset by the major underdog Carlos Baldomir. However, as Baldomir didn't pay the sanctioning fees, the IBF used that as an excuse to allow Judah to hold onto a dubious, devalued trinket. Mayweather used Judah's laughable IBF belt as an excuse to go ahead anyways with the fight, as boxing politics allowed him the opportunity to earn a title belt against a fighter who had lost his last fight. As was expected, Mayweather turned in another great performance as he overcame an uneven start to wear down the inconsistent Brooklynite. By this time, everytime someone inquired about who he wanted to fight next, Oscar De La Hoya's name was always the first one that came out of his mouth. His motivation for targetting De La Hoya is no secret, as no other non-heavyweight since Sugar Ray Leonard was able to generate such a high guaranteed purse. Aside from the obvious financial allure of a bout with "The Golden Boy", Mayweather may also be attracted to the proverbial passing down of the torch factor, which many have used as a spring board to attain respect. As much of an incentive as there is in chasing De La Hoya, he still has to hold up his responsibilities as an elite fighter who is held to the standard of fighting the best in and around his weight division. Just as a gold digger stalks her prey, (rappers, professional athletes) so is Mayweather's fixation with a fight with Oscar De La Hoya. Left out of the invitation only party hosted by Mayweather was Antonio Margarito, a dangerous and determined welterweight that many believe could be Mayweather's toughest challenge. Margarito is a poor man's Castillo, a never say die aggressive punching machine that applies intense pressure and tries to just overwhelm you. With a slick virtuoso like Mayweather, the only way to upset his rhythm is by getting in his chest and outmuscling him with power shots. Coincidentally, that is Margarito's forte'. Bob Arum and Top Rank offered $8 million to Mayweather for Margarito to meet, only to be declined. "Who has Margarito beaten?”, remarked Mayweather dismissively when asked asked about his reasons for not fighting Margarito. Mayweather has also stated that a fight with Margarito would not generate the kind of money that he is interested in. Money, isn't that what the business always come down to in the end? Mayweather seems to feel that his bottom line is more important than securing an untarnished legacy. A fight with De La Hoya would be something memorable and an important step in his career, yet would leave doubts as to his ability to dominate the divisions he occuppied. Mayweather's prioritization of alphabelts, instead of career defining fights, has impeded his acceptance by the general public. Money comes and goes, but a great champion's immortal legacy is sealed in stone for all eternity.