The Mayweather Myth

The Mayweather Myth By Jordan Stoddart: October 8, 2009 I thought I would write regarding the current and topical (and maybe frustrating issue to some) subject of Floyd Mayweather’s apparent refusal to fight Shane Mosley, and his (assumed) desire to fight the winner of Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao. I want to cover a few points, as there are a few angles being missed by forum users and the general public. Whether that be plain ignorance or prejudice or whether it is just a way of stirring up ‘pre-mega-fight hype’; you cannot tell. All I know is, Floyd V Pac is the right decision for the Boxing fan, causal or purist. Mosley now famously called out Mayweather for the fifth time on Live TV, alongside his business partner and long term associate Bernard Hopkins. What struck me about how it folded out was the completely staged, and quite frankly embarrassing, antics from Sugar Shane and his Golden Boy Promotions Team who quite clearly would love to see Floyd (who they have been co-promoting for his last 4 fights) fight another GBP fighter in Shane, than the Top rank phenomenon Manny Pacquiao. Like something straight out of the WWF locker, of which Floyd is no stranger too, the 2 goading hyenas attempted to interrupt Floyd’s interview and caught Max Kellerman straight off his guard, causing the TV station to cut off coverage. The aftermath was not what Mosley would of wanted. A quiet retreat into a January fight with prospect Andre Berto whilst Mayweather starts counting days to what I believe will be the biggest grossing fight of all time. I feel it was the right decision, and here’s why. The way in which GBP and their fighters acted was a disgrace. Sure, we all love a bit of trash and the hyped storylines to lead up to other ‘super fights’ and the like, but Floyd ‘ s performance was exceptional, and he at least deserved the right to a post fight conference to address the One Million PPV fans who had tuned into see him in the US alone, let alone his overseas audience. Can I just emphasis this point. One Million PPV viewers at $40 a piece. That’s only the fifth time a non-heavyweight bout has scored so many viewers. ‘Money’ struck again. Mayweather V Mosley would almost certainly take place in Vegas in the New Year. An aged, but still skilled and obviously motivated, fighter would be pitched against arguably one of the finest fighters to grace our screens in the last 25 years. Ask the greats like Leonard, Lewis and Tyson, they all agree, Floyd Mayweather, regardless of his persona, is a truly great fighter who some say is not even at his peak yet. Forget the fact he has fought ‘smaller men’ over his last 5 fights; that is irrelevant in the modern era. If you want to use that argument, then counter it with which division he has came from, and how many different titles he has won in different weight classes. Mosley is at a crossroads in his career, it’s too late for him, and likewise Hopkins. The way they act on behalf of GBP is seriously embarrassing, and is doing no good for the sport. They hang around weight-ins like agitated bouncers at a nightclub. You’re running out of runway guys. This brings me to a truly special fight in Mayweather V Pacquiao. It this fight unfolds next year then we will be blessed with not only a boxing fight, but an exhibition which will bring the sport back to the front pages of the press. Haters and Cynics who dismiss this as him fighting yet another ‘hand picked lightweight’ best analysis the career of ‘The Destroyer’ and re-assess their thoughts of this not being good for the sport. I would not be surprised if this fight were to take place outside of the casinos, maybe a super venue or a stadium. I am actually pretty positive it could happen in Dubai or London’s Wembley stadium. Mayweather has been seriously publicising himself in the UK of late, and Top Rank/GBP have expressed their desire to fight there. That’s a fight! Not a casino full of freebie corporate types, trying to break the 800K barrier, but an occasion that could draw in literally tens of millions in both attendance and on TV’s across the world. I urge users on forums and the news to stop giving Mayweather yet more bad press. He is doing what is right for all fans. If you want to see him fight the likes of Mosley and Williams, then you obviously cannot appreciate what a match up Pac V Floyd would be. Its not Hatton, De la Hoya or Marquez, this is the Best V the Best. NOTHING comes close to this fight, and will not do for the considerable future, so appreciate it that it’s even being discussed and planned. This is set up to be an event of gigantic proportions. Mosley could not generate 10% of the gate, viewers or interest of the proposed fight with Pac, and would not benefit his CV in the slightest. It would only please the outrageously hypocritical and biased fans of the sport that sometimes actually make we stop watching this site for months on end. What would it prove in Mayweather’s career? Oh, he fought a welterweight. Great stuff. Forgive me if I am wrong, but isn’t the P4P List to compare fighters of different weight classes in regards to greatness, ability and standing in the world of Boxing? He is fighting the best of the best and giving everyone’s their money worth. Lay off the Mosley tripe. He will get Cotto, and the Welterweight brigade will be happy.