Flashback: How Floyd Ducked Margarito & Cotto

Collapse
Collapse
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • straightleft
    Undisputed Champion
    Platinum Champion - 1,000-5,000 posts
    • Mar 2010
    • 3557
    • 162
    • 0
    • 9,979

    #1

    Flashback: How Floyd Ducked Margarito & Cotto

    (This article was originally posted in October of 2006.)
    For those boxing fans who refused to believe that Floyd Mayweather could possibly be afraid of Antonio Margarito, I offer you this exchange during the recent Floyd Mayweather conference call:

    FLOYD MAYWEATHER: I mean, Bob Arum is the type of guy, you know, I mean he’s grumpy. He’s an old lady’s grumpy, you know. But, I mean I’m just going to tell Bob, you know, thanks for every, you know thanks for our relationship. I mean in the past thanks for everything you done for me, you know, I appreciate you.

    I won’t have nothing bad to say about you; I wish you nothing but the best of luck in the future and I wish Todd DuBoef and all of DuBoefs and the whole Arum family good luck but as, I’m with Goossen Tutor and me and Dan’s going to take it to the next level. I mean he’s, I mean, man, that’s the real promoter.

    When I was with Dan and I went back and done another fight with Bob, you didn’t see Dan bad-talk me or trash talk me. I mean Bob Arum has made a lot of money off me; I made a lot of money over there. I mean why would you, I mean a deal, some day you talk about us, it’s about being positive but then, you never see me talk about negative things and then once I started my training camp for this fight he told me I can use the Top Rank boxing gym and then in between, and if you don’t (inaudible), he told me that he’d kick me out of his boxing gym so you want me to fight your fighter but you don’t want me to work in your boxing gym. So, it’s obvious that you don’t want the fight.

    CHUCK JOHNSON: So you’re no longer working at Top Rank Gym? Hello?

    DAN GOOSSEN: No, he’s not, Chuck.

    FLOYD MAYWEATHER: Wait, Bob Arum would have, Dan can make Bob Arum an offer. Bob Arum can never make me an offer but Dan can make him an offer.

    CHUCK JOHNSON: All right. All right.

    FLOYD MAYWEATHER: But you got to realize this. I’m an A level; I’m an A level opponent, OK? Oscar de la Hoya’s an A level; Floyd Mayweather’s an A level. I mean Margarito is a, he got, he got D level fighters. He had, so Bob Arum, he got D level fighters. You know without, you know without, be honest without Floyd Mayweather or Oscar de la Hoya, I mean what is Top Rank, honestly?

    CHUCK JOHNSON: All right. So Margarito is not on your radar at all?

    FLOYD MAYWEATHER: I’m not; you know I’m looking for a household name. I mean he’s a household; we need two household names.

    CHUCK JOHNSON: OK. All right, Floyd. Appreciate it, man.

    FLOYD MAYWEATHER: No, come on. We got to realize this. 25,000 homes? If that. And then that’s, and that’s given them the benefit of the doubt. And I mean he’s supposed to be a Hispanic fighter with Hispanic fans. So, I mean, come on, man.

    Ahem. Now consider what Floyd Mayweather said just a few moments earlier, when he was defending his choice of handpicking the unheralded Henry Bruseles as an opponent… “I mean, the fight with Henry Bruseles – somebody had to give him a chance. You know, everybody gives – I mean, how will we ever know how good a person is till you give them a chance? Somebody had to give him that chance, so I gave him that chance.”
    Which begs the question: Why won’t generous Floyd give or even verbally commit or promise to give Antonio Margarito any chances to show the world how good he is???

    Final Thoughts: After witnessing all the double talk of the last 8 months, the $8 million offer three itmes, this exchange and all those You Tube videos of Floyd stuttering almost incoherently when forced to talk about Margarito, I believe this is undeniable proof that Floyd is actually afraid of Margarito, he is actually struck by fear. Only rarely have you seen such blaringly obvious clues of fear seep out of the facade of bravado of a top pro fighter (Floyd Patterson vs. Sonny Liston, Tommy Burns vs. Jack Johnson, Morrade Hakkar vs. Bernard Hopkins, Tito Ortiz vs. Chuck Liddell, Joe Gatti vs. Terry Norris, Michael Spinks vs. Mike Tyson, etc.). There is no doubt now, Margarito is indeed Floyd’s BOGEYMAN.

    The mere thought of Margarito alters Floyd’s thought and speech patterns. He makes little sense whenever he opens his mouth about Margarito. I completely believe the fight has already been determined. Floyd has been conquered by the Margarito mystique, the Margarito smile of 100% (GENUINE not MANUFACTURED) confidence, the Margarito arsenal of non-stop pressure and relentless savagry. The supposedly great Floyd Mayweather is incapable of how to effectively deal with issue of Margarito out of the ring and so it will transfer to confusion and indecision inside the ring, as it always does. IT ALWAYS DOES. It appears that Floyd’s mind does not function properly when it has to deal with the ghost of Margarito. Just wait and see what happens when the real beast is attacking him.

    Boxing will have a new superstar from Mexico.

    That is, if Floyd and the boxing powers-that-be ever give Margarito the chance to prove himself in a major marquee fight.
    ————————————————–

    Team Floyd Claims “We’re Not Ducking Margarito”
    (Posted in Summer/Spring 2006)

    “Most people are afraid to be honest.” — Jim Brown

    “Tis strange but true; for truth is always strange, – Stranger than fiction.” — Byron

    “Self-preservation is the first law of nature.” — S. Butler

    Ladies and gentleman, Nobody ever lies in boxing.

    Stop the presses. Word has been released from the Mayweather Headquarters in Las Vegas. They claim Floyd is not ducking Antonio Margarito.

    Team Floyd says it is seriously considering Margarito as their next opponent. Oh. Really? Don’t hold your breath. Because more than likely, it isn’t going to happen.

    The $8 million Chicken’s chief advisor Leonard Ellerbe spoke out in defense against the widespread accusations that Floyd is running and running scared from WBO Welterweight champion Antonio Margarito.

    “I’ve heard that … and obviously it’s the most ridiculous comment that one can make,” said Ellberbe to Newark Star-Ledger boxing reporter Franklin McNeil. “First and foremost, Floyd’s been in about 16 world championship fights. Margarito, from last I checked, has four losses. He’s never fought an elite fighter. I repeat, he’s never fought an elite fighter.”

    Ellerbe seems to have forgotten Floyd had no problems of procrastination and hesitation in signing to fight non-elite fighters DeMarcus Corley and Henry Bruseles for a WHOLE LOT LESS than $8 million. I REPEAT, for a whole lot less than $8 MILLION. Can you say hypocricy and fraud and deception? Oh, and by the way Leonard, no elite fighters even dare step up and fight Margarito – as Vargas, Mosley, and Baldomir have all said No to Margarito.

    Ellebre continued: “Floyd is the best fighter in the world. He’s fought top-level competition throughout his career. He’s never ducked or dodged anyone. And last I checked, Floyd’s undefeated. But Margarito’s a good fighter. He’s not a bum. His name’s in the hat, no higher than anybody else’s. The fact that his name is in the mix should prove we’re not ducking him.”
    ———————–
  • straightleft
    Undisputed Champion
    Platinum Champion - 1,000-5,000 posts
    • Mar 2010
    • 3557
    • 162
    • 0
    • 9,979

    #2
    Team Mayweather Selects Latest Excuse To Duck Cotto (April 2008)

    Team Mayweather has floated several different excuses and reasons to duck Miguel Cotto in the past but this week, probably after extremely careful deliberation, they’ve come out and settled on one – that Cotto lacks enough star power to interest Floyd.

    Leonard Ellerbe said to the New York Post (after Cotto stated to the press that he wanted to fight Floyd and that he believed he would beat Floyd): “I think Cotto is a good fighter who’s definitely improving. His promotional company has done a good job in getting the right type of fights to increase his visibility. But he’s still not there yet. The numbers don’t lie. If nobody’s watching him as evidenced by the ratings, what makes him important? I’m not saying he’s a bad fighter. He’s a good fighter. But he’s obviously not on Floyd’s level because nobody’s watching.”

    “It took Floyd nine years to get on pay-per-view,” Ellerbe said. “When Floyd steps into the ring, it’s going to be about legacy and economics. He’s in control of what’s going on and if those two things aren’t happening, Floyd’s not going to be part of that.”

    If you remember, Team Mayweather has also used several other flimsy excuses to avoid Cotto: 1. We won’t do business with Bob Arum again. 2. I’m not going to let boxing retire me, I will retire from boxing, when asked by Larry Merchant on HBO after the Hatton win if he will fight Cotto. 3. Floyd’s bored with boxing. 4. Floyd’s body is breaking down. 5. Cotto is a punching bag and he knows he can’t beat Floyd. 6. Floyd may go to MMA or WWE.

    So now Team Mayweather has made it clear yet again they are absolutely refusing to consider a Welterweight Superfight, one that everyone wants to see, because Cotto is, in their opinion, lacking star power, according to an HBO ratings statistic they came up with. Whatever the rating was, no one can deny the atmosphere at the Boardwalk Hall on April 12 was much more exciting than any Mayweather fights which weren’t piggybacked on Gatti, Oscar or Hatton.

    The problem most logical boxing fans will have with this Team Mayweather excuse is that at one time Floyd was himself in the same situation. Floyd’s HBO ratings vs. Henry Bruseles must have been similar or worse but Floyd persevered and Arturo Gatti, being the true warrior he is, fought Mayweather in a match he was a massive long-shot. Team Gatti never once used any excuses such as “Floyd is unimportant to us” or “Floyd’s ratings for the Bruseles fight were too low for us to fight him.” Gatti accepted the fact it was the fight the boxing powers wanted to see and some fans wanted and he agreed to it. Gatti, as a superstar, respected the fact Floyd deserved an opportunity on the big stage and gave it to him, without using any EXCUSES.

    Next it was Oscar De La Hoya. Oscar, the most popular figure in the sport, did not have to fight the far less popular but talented Mayweather who was practically booed out of the arena during his boring win against Carlos Baldomir. Oscar, a much bigger star than Floyd, did not use any excuses to duck Mayweather like citing Floyd’s small (in comparison) pay-per-view numbers or the fact ticket-buyers began walking out of the Baldomir fight well before it was over. Oscar did what was right for boxing (and himself), gave the fans the fight they wanted to see, and gave a very big special favor for the career of Mayweather.

    Ellerbe, speaking for Mayweather, is not showing anywhere remotely near the same respect or generosity towards Miguel Cotto. They are desperately grasping on to the straw excuse that ‘Cotto lacks enough star power/importance for us to fight him.’ Which is totally hypocritical to the generosity of Gatti and Oscar which helped Mayweather ascend to his current position in boxing.
    Gatti did not seek to maximize payday rematches with Branco or Dorin as a way to duck Mayweather. De La Hoya did not seek to maximize lucrative rematches with Vargas or Mayorga so in order to duck Mayweather. They did the right thing for the sport and the fans, they fought the best and took their chances.

    Why won’t Mayweather fight the best and take his chances? It seems rather clear by now, with all the different excuses and reasons to duck Cotto, Mayweather fears something about Cotto and is unsure if he can defeat the Puerto Rican powerhouse. That’s the final conclusion and it must be written and said. There’s no time to sugarcoat it or sweep it under the rug anymore. Bob Arum is probably 100% right when he insists with firm certainty that Mayweather “is a PSYCHOLOGICAL COWARD.”

    Boxing fans should unite and make a collective statement when they try to sell us Floyd vs. Oscar II, a lousy rematch of a first fight which Glen Johnson called “garbage” and Bob Foster called “a bunch of junk.” Because there is by far only one superfight in boxing right now and no matter what a self-serving yes man like Ellerbe (according to Jeff Mayweather) says, it’s Miguel Cotto vs. Floyd Mayweather. A tantalizing showdown between the two best welterweights on the planet, humble gracious champion vs. the arrogant titleholder…the honorable and noble class act vs. the immature spoiled punk…the fearless warrior who will fight whoever they put in front of him vs. the handpicker who has selected every single opponent from day one…the relentless offensive firepower of Cotto vs. the aesthetic defensive boxing skills of Floyd…the soft-spoken gentleman vs. the loud-mouthed braggart.

    Ellerbe can talk all he wants about how unimportant Miguel Cotto is. But it’s a bluff. An empty, self-serving, self-surviving bluff. The real reason Mayweather won’t fight Cotto is because there’s a more than likely chance Floyd will be violently and abusively knocked out.

    Because if Team Mayweather truly felt confident they could beat Cotto wouldn’t they at least say something like, Yes we will fight Cotto once he beats Margarito or so-and-so? But Team Mayweather has never once said they will fight Cotto under any conditions, not even winner take all. Or a 90-10% split.

    I believe Team Mayweather, despite all their different excuses and reasons, is actually patiently banking on one single option to avoid Cotto. They are hoping Cotto loses to Antonio Margarito or, say, Paul Williams.

    Team Mayweather’s latest excuse only affirms what most logical boxing fans already know. Floyd Mayweather is afraid to step in a ring and fight a young, strong, intelligent, confident, proud, classy and honorable warrior like Miguel Cotto.

    Comment

    • hugh grant
      Undisputed Champion
      Franchise Champion - 20,000+ posts
      • Apr 2006
      • 30520
      • 2,194
      • 918
      • 105,596

      #3
      Yes people will always remember Floyd for not fighting the biggest names at that point in time, and that was Cotto and Margarito. They were the superstars at that particular time. More so than the SSM and 147 JMM floyd fought.

      FLoyds got a lot of making up to do to satisfy people now onwards.

      Comment

      • ThatHaitiankid
        Contender
        • Feb 2011
        • 451
        • 16
        • 0
        • 6,602

        #4
        ye man margarito and cotto are number 1 p4p,your right they are monsters and floyd ducked them cuz there TOO GOOD and not just because pac fought them or bob arum said so.YOUR RIGHT

        Comment

        • KitangKatag
          Contender
          Silver Champion - 100-500 posts
          • Jun 2011
          • 369
          • 20
          • 0
          • 6,791

          #5
          the patterned has emerged then and now.

          Comment

          • NanaSucka
            Banned
            • Jun 2011
            • 389
            • 31
            • 0
            • 471

            #6
            one could say pac ducked
            a number of people, he just wasn't famous then though, so people overlook it.
            Pac also ducked shane mosley, he fought him after there was a realization that he was not the same guy.

            Comment

            • KitangKatag
              Contender
              Silver Champion - 100-500 posts
              • Jun 2011
              • 369
              • 20
              • 0
              • 6,791

              #7
              Originally posted by Vegan102
              one could say pac ducked
              a number of people, he just wasn't famous then though, so people overlook it.
              Pac also ducked shane mosley, he fought him after there was a realization that he was not the same guy.
              So your admitting that floyd ducked those fighters mentioned? considering that your now addressing which fighter manny has ducked?

              Comment

              • Pacquiao'd
                Banned
                • Mar 2010
                • 11948
                • 612
                • 153
                • 12,591

                #8
                Arum said while Mayweather would have taken the $8 million to fight Margarito, he asked for a $10 million guarantee to fight opponents such as Miguel Cotto and Ricky Hatton, when Arum was only willing to guarantee $7 million.

                Arum said Mayweather also asked for $20 million to fight De La Hoya, a fight Arum said he wasn't interested in participating in.

                "That's not in the cards," Arum said. "He wants $20 million for the De La Hoya fight? It's not there. Sometimes, my man, you gotta know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. We'll talk about things down the road."
                Floyd Mayweather Jr. rejected promoter Bob Arum's $8 million offer to fight welterweight titlist Antonio Margarito, and he instead exercised a provision in his contract to buy Arum out.


                /thread.

                dumbass *******s making up **** even when the facts are out there for them to find

                Comment

                • Chopper417
                  Interim Champion
                  Gold Champion - 500-1,000 posts
                  • Jan 2011
                  • 723
                  • 40
                  • 0
                  • 6,806

                  #9
                  Good God do we have to do this thread again? Do me a favor bro name me the last Bob Arum promoted fighter that Floyd fought...Oh that's right Floyd is just coincidentally scared of ALL Bob Arum fighters. Get a life dude Bob's got you brainwashed.

                  Comment

                  • MARKBNLV
                    Banned
                    Unified Champion - 10,00-20,000 posts
                    • Feb 2009
                    • 17497
                    • 789
                    • 707
                    • 27,868

                    #10
                    Chunks of this article are edited and poor if i may say so,i got a few paragraphs down before i realized your just a hater post a link to a legit website.

                    Comment

                    Working...
                    TOP