Does Hatton's Popularity Bother Floyd?

[deevel79]

Mayweather knows he would be booed when he chose to be the bad guy. It comes with the territory.

He has no choice BUT to be the bad guy. Nobody likes him anyway.

[deevel79]

There is no way that another man can come into your backyard, take over your town, and it not bother you. Impossible.

[RodBarker]

Mayweather's last fight was against the most popular boxer of the last decade and if memory serves me correctly he did not seem too flustered by De La Hoya's fans and support.

However, having watched highlights of today's events where Mayweather was booed and Hatton greeted like a hero it made me wonder whether this has affected Mayweather psychologically. Obviously any world class boxer has unusual mental strength but wouldn't it be a little disconcerting to find yourself as the unpopular fighter in your own backyard? Mayweather has certainly changed his tune a bit recently taking the opportunity to remind the media of the charity work he undertakes and he has tried to show a softer, more human side at time on 24/7 which says to me that he is trying to win some sort of approval.

I might be wrong but for just a second I caught a glimmer of something like envy in Mayweather's eye.

I think you right ,,, but there is always a but I dont think it will effect the fight negatively for Floyd and thats all that really matters , on the contrary I think it will motivate Floyd more into performing at his best ,, off course he would like to be cheered like Hatton , he has come out publicly and said he wished he had Rickys fans adding after he beats him they will still love Ricky ,, Floyd has made his own bed , he has become the most infamous boxer in the world because of the hate and controversy he has created , he would also have such a corporate team behind his enterprise from lawyers to marketers to sport psychologists .

I agree with you but it will effect the fight in a postive way for Floyd not negative , he will use it to put his mind in the zone over the final meditation of the last 12 hrs , he has been here many times before .

[Mozza]

I think you right ,,, but there is always a but I dont think it will effect the fight negatively for Floyd and thats all that really matters , on the contrary I think it will motivate Floyd more into performing at his best ,, off course he would like to be cheered like Hatton , he has come out publicly and said he wished he had Rickys fans adding after he beats him they will still love Ricky ,, Floyd has made his own bed , he has become the most infamous boxer in the world because of the hate and controversy he has created , he would also have such a corporate team behind his enterprise from lawyers to marketers to sport psychologists .

I agree with you but it will effect the fight in a postive way for Floyd not negative , he will use it to put his mind in the zone for the final meditation of the last 12 hrs , he has been here many times before .

Interesting point. It could certainly act as extra motivation for Floyd to show his class in the ring.

[Azteca]

Let's be real.

These guys are people first, fighters second.

If a rival from Britian has more fans then you in the city you have lived in the past 8 years...I would be pissed.

It wont matter come fight time. But deep down, I have a feeling it stings a little bit.

[frankpaganini]

I think it doesnt matter if you try to be the recognized bad guy or not...

when you get booed in your OWN hometown (or newly recognized hometown) it bothers you.

I would be bothered if i were in the situation that a guy from overseas can come to MY hometown and get a better response than me.

i dont know to what extent but floyd cant be 100% pleased with it.

[sonofisis]

Mayweather's last fight was against the most popular boxer of the last decade and if memory serves me correctly he did not seem too flustered by De La Hoya's fans and support.

However, having watched highlights of today's events where Mayweather was booed and Hatton greeted like a hero it made me wonder whether this has affected Mayweather psychologically. Obviously any world class boxer has unusual mental strength but wouldn't it be a little disconcerting to find yourself as the unpopular fighter in your own backyard? Mayweather has certainly changed his tune a bit recently taking the opportunity to remind the media of the charity work he undertakes and he has tried to show a softer, more human side at time on 24/7 which says to me that he is trying to win some sort of approval.

I might be wrong but for just a second I caught a glimmer of something like envy in Mayweather's eye.

Mayweather doesn't care because he isn't ******! He knows where his demographic lies and it is not among middle class America or the average British citizen. His support comes from an entire community which trandcends that. All of 50 cent's fans for instance, are Mayweather fans. 50 cent has millions upon millions of fans. Mayweather was indeed already popular in the hip hop community because they can relate to his defiant and nonconformist approach. No, Floyd Mayweather is a professional who has been in this game for 11 years. He is not affected by a bunch of people he didn't identify with in the first place. All he cares about is that they pay to see him fight, which they are.

[Azteca]

all of 50 cent's fans are Mayweather fans? Good point.

That supports my theory that all of his fans are white, 16, and "****ers" from the suburbs.

[robjr]

I think it does bother him... Cause i believe floyd thinks hatton is ****.

[Azteca]

Typical Mayweather fan:
[IMG]http://www.hipflaskmusic.com/*****2.jpg[/IMG]