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Floyd Mayweather Jr., who at the age of 28 has a beautiful family, titles in three different weight classes and the distinction of being arguably the best boxer in the sport today, may just be the unluckiest undefeated pugilist in the sweet science.
He is underappreciated, an Olympic medalist recognized for his exemplary skills, yes, a pound-for-pound denizen touted for his unblemished professional record of 35 wins and 24 knockouts, but recent days have found him challenged by the press and not his peers.
It was nearly nine years into his career that this shining star finally received the well-deserved privilege of dancing on the grandest stage, reaping in enough pay-per-view dollars to buy the kind of bling that could possibly glare as brightly as his millionaire’s smile.
The six-round pummeling of Arturo Gatti was supposed to purchase recognition, celebrity and opportunity, megamatches and megabucks with Ricky Hatton, Zab Judah, Shane Mosley, Winky Wright and Oscar De La Hoya.
Turned down, he instead found himself in Portland, Ore., forced to settle with testing the waters at welterweight with former 140-lb. beltholder Sharmba Mitchell.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. must have HBO working as his publicist.
In the biggest waste of airspace since April 23, when HBO broadcast the seminal classic, “Four Rounds with Wladimir Klitschko and Eliseo Castillo,” the premium cable outlet televised Mayweather’s mismatch with Mitchell, an airing that was just six rounds of fighting but one full hour of propaganda.
From the beautifully produced vignette on Mayweather to the video package that followed a seemingly resigned Mitchell as he was led like a lamb to slaughter, the night was about inaugurating a new star for the network, so as to replace retired heavyweight Vitali Klitschko. [details]
He is underappreciated, an Olympic medalist recognized for his exemplary skills, yes, a pound-for-pound denizen touted for his unblemished professional record of 35 wins and 24 knockouts, but recent days have found him challenged by the press and not his peers.
It was nearly nine years into his career that this shining star finally received the well-deserved privilege of dancing on the grandest stage, reaping in enough pay-per-view dollars to buy the kind of bling that could possibly glare as brightly as his millionaire’s smile.
The six-round pummeling of Arturo Gatti was supposed to purchase recognition, celebrity and opportunity, megamatches and megabucks with Ricky Hatton, Zab Judah, Shane Mosley, Winky Wright and Oscar De La Hoya.
Turned down, he instead found himself in Portland, Ore., forced to settle with testing the waters at welterweight with former 140-lb. beltholder Sharmba Mitchell.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. must have HBO working as his publicist.
In the biggest waste of airspace since April 23, when HBO broadcast the seminal classic, “Four Rounds with Wladimir Klitschko and Eliseo Castillo,” the premium cable outlet televised Mayweather’s mismatch with Mitchell, an airing that was just six rounds of fighting but one full hour of propaganda.
From the beautifully produced vignette on Mayweather to the video package that followed a seemingly resigned Mitchell as he was led like a lamb to slaughter, the night was about inaugurating a new star for the network, so as to replace retired heavyweight Vitali Klitschko. [details]
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