Comments Thread For: “Fighting Words” - Mayweather, Ward and Schadenfreude

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

by David P. Greisman - Floyd Mayweather and Andre Ward are two of the best boxers in the world. One of them is often in the news even when he’s not fighting. The only time the other is in the news these days is because of why he’s not in the ring.

Mayweather’s latest headlines came from the most recent chapter in his feud with rapper and former friend 50 Cent — a feud that led to the release of audio in which Mayweather had tremendous difficulty reading out loud a promo provided to him by a radio show.

Coverage of Ward, meanwhile, came from his latest defeat in an attempt to break away from his longtime promoter, Dan Goossen of Goossen Tutor Promotions. Last week, a California court ruled in Goossen’s favor. Ward’s battle nevertheless is likely to continue on.

In each case, the fighter’s detractors took to the news with apparent glee, finding one more reason for critique and mockery.

In each case, some of these reactions are both understandable and unfortunate. [Click Here To Read More]

[Kagami Taiga]

Griesman is one of my favorite writers on this site. But with that said this article is too mature for many on this site. Great writer, great article. Too good for the internet.

[Weebler I]

You were good until the #1 on your ten count Dave, the dig at 50 suggests you're not averse to taking sides yourself, belies your apparent prior objectivity in the article.

I agree btw, there are many things to criticise FM for, but for not being able to read is a little low.

On the Taylor issue, despite what his experts might say, it's just common sense that a guy who suffered 3 brutal KOs and an ensuing brain bleed is going to be more at risk. I would not be so quick to defer to selected opinion, because it wouldn't be difficult to find an expert that would argue the opposite.

On Jay-Z's Roc Nation, I heard a rumour that they're in bed with HBO. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

[turnedup]

I'll sum up the whole Mayweather situation in a manner in which both sides can agree on. Floyd has a really good opportunity right now to not only better himself but bring great attention to a problem plaguing low income ********** in this country. It would also send a huge message that it doesn't matter how money you have or don't, if you have an opportunity to better yourself you should. He could also say forget it I don't have time for that and people should accept it. Nobody should judge him for whatever he chooses because quite frankly his situation doesn't affect anyone of us either fan or foe. The limit of our input into his life extends to but not beyond electing or not electing to buy his fights. Personally i'd love to see him promote "improving thyself" but every man makes his choices and lives with them.

Taylor: Man shouldn't be fighting and if he's strapped for cash start promoting some boxers or doing analyst work. This mans family needs him more than they need him to get a check at the expense of his life.

Ward: I seriously feel bad for Ward and his situation. Nothing sucks more than being stuck doing business or having a relationship of any sort with someone you have big issues with. He's a very talented fighter but honestly the long layoffs hurt making much of an argument on his part these days.

Belts: 1 per division...you want to get your shot? Earn it, mandate champions to fight only top 5 opposition and let everyone else fight to earn a spot in the top 5 to get their shot. For one it eliminates the ducking, it eliminates all these tune ups and it forces champions to focus on legacy as well as moving up and comers along faster.

Boxers behaving badly: Go do bouncer work, you've got a name and a reputation. People need protecting too...hell you have lethal weapons (your hands) to kick ass..go get certified and become security...you've got private security with less capability earning pretty good money.

[Mick Higgs]

Good solid article, even if a tad long.

[umop-ap!sdn]

I always look forward to fighting words articles. Always written so well and full of information. It's sad that it only has 4 comments considdering the content, but it also speaks a lot. By that I mean 1) It's so unbiased and sensible that even Mayweather haters have not bothered to chime in with their hate mail as they normally do and 2) The comments that WERE posted were real and from real fans who enjoy reading good boxing literature, not the thirsty trolls looking for controversy. Those two facts alone give me confidence in this site. Boxingscene keeps it real and keeps posting these sorts of articles that shed a light on a lot of the nonsense that people talk on this and in the social media in general. Let me hear a hater find a way to put a negative spin on what's been stated in this article.

Millionaire, Billionaire or dead broke it's not humane to make fun of ones literacy problem. Did anyone make fun of Steven Hawking who couldn't even speak himself and communicated through a machine that spoke for him? He was far more wealthy and popular than Mayweather but did you hear people poking fun at the fact that he couldn't walk or talk for himself? I just think the hate for a man and for a lifestyle, for a culture, is so hated by those who don't live in it or don't understand it that they have become scared of it. It's popular, it's loud, it's flashy, it's successful, it's brash, it's controversial but at the end of the day it's life. It's where millions of people in the world come from and how they were raised. Do we blame Prince's and Princesses for being stuck up or snobby or materialistic? No, we hold them high, even while in fact a lot of them look down upon us and our "normal" or impoverish ways.

Sorry if I said too much, a good piece of literature can evoke emotions and stir up feelings. End of it all though, what all of that translates into is "Great article guys!"

[bojangles1987]

Mayweather deserves the ridicule because he has gone out of his way to attack other fighters in equally cruel fashion. What goes around comes around. Mayweather's supporters often don't have a problem with those attacks, what's the big deal when it happens to Mayweather himself? Isn't this what he wants, for us all to hate him because we're putting money in his pockets?

[SUBZER0ED]

As for talented but illiterate athletes who are pushed through the educational system, up to and including college, I blame the educators themselves. This extends all the way to the top administrative level. Policy should require ALL students to be properly educated; athletic talent notwithstanding. There is no excuse for illiteracy, and there is plenty of help for those with learning disabilities. That said, if Mayweather does indeed have issues reading aloud or at all, he does himself a disservice to not get help. Ridiculing him about it is childish and ignorant.

Ward is killing his own career with his continuous litigation against Goossen. One can only hope there is a method to his madness. No way is Goossen going out of his way to get Ward fights in this climate. At best, he is offering him fights that are beneath him. By the same token, how much money can be generated to see a good but inactive fighter whom many feel is boring? What big name fighters feel that fighting Ward will further their careers?

Jermain Taylor's a fighter who started strong, but has been exposed. He's easily hit and hurt. Everyone probably figures if they can just land one big shot, they can win. Add to that the fact that he's been seriously hurt in the ring, and the only conclusion is that fighting anymore is like playing Russian Roulette.

[anonymous2.0]

Whoever fights for that Intergalatic Planetary belt better have that one Beastie Boys theme song

[Hitman932]

I always look forward to fighting words articles. Always written so well and full of information. It's sad that it only has 4 comments considdering the content, but it also speaks a lot. By that I mean 1) It's so unbiased and sensible that even Mayweather haters have not bothered to chime in with their hate mail as they normally do and 2) The comments that WERE posted were real and from real fans who enjoy reading good boxing literature, not the thirsty trolls looking for controversy. Those two facts alone give me confidence in this site. Boxingscene keeps it real and keeps posting these sorts of articles that shed a light on a lot of the nonsense that people talk on this and in the social media in general. Let me hear a hater find a way to put a negative spin on what's been stated in this article.

Sorry if I said too much, a good piece of literature can evoke emotions and stir up feelings. End of it all though, what all of that translates into is "Great article guys!"

Griesman is one of my favorite fighters on this site. But with that said this article is too mature for many on this site. Great writer, great article. Too good for the internet.

Consider buying his book, I did.

http://www.amazon.com/Fighting-Words.../dp/1463608071

Love David's articles and you're both spot on in noticing that the more well written and sensible an article is on this site the less likely it is to drum up conversation.