How did Floyd ever become boxing's top earner???

[Wolfie*]

He did a great job marketing himself when the spotlight was on him. He did it the hard way getting that opportunity when he had to face the toughest competition at the lower weight classes and winning all those fights made him the best pound for pound. Love him or hate him, he's a genius for marketing himself the way he does because people care about him.

[miron_lang]

Oscar dela hoya

[KRITKL]

Oscar dela hoya

^^^^ we have a winner.
Also his WWE style personality helped.

[Pigeons]

It was the buildup to his May 5, 2007 fight vs. De La Hoya, I was senior in high school. I was a very casual boxing fan, meaning I didn't watch any fights but I kept tabs on some results (Tyson-Holyfield II, Tyson-Lewis, Tyson-Ettiene/Williams/McBride, Lewis-Klitschko, Jones-Ruiz/Tarver/Johnson, Hopkins-Taylor I/II).

Mayweather captured the audience with his nasty, egotistical performance vs. the Golden Boy. In the years following that PPV, everyone wanted to attribute the 2.45M buys to DLH. It was partially true, with DLH's fame he was the perfect protagonist to Mayweather's act, but it was Mayweather's performance on 24/7 that helped DLH score more than 1M more PPV buys than his previous high.

Since then, he remained the villain and people kept paying to watch. His knockout vs. Hatton, subsequent retirement, schoolings of Marquez and Mosley, cheapshot vs. Ortiz, brawl vs. Cotto, and move to SHO kept him in the public spotlight. Haymon is largely responsible. His choice of opponents for Floyd was so great that they not only delivered humongous PPV buys, but Pacquiao/Arum recycled them (DLH, Hatton, Marquez, Mosley) because the choices were that genius.

Floyd is an antagonist. The same reason Hollywood Hogan and Vince McMahon and HHH were really popular in wraslin'. He perfected that persona in a real combat sport.

[daggum]

He did a great job marketing himself when the spotlight was on him. He did it the hard way getting that opportunity when he had to face the toughest competition at the lower weight classes and winning all those fights made him the best pound for pound. Love him or hate him, he's a genius for marketing himself the way he does because people care about him.

the hard way? he went to #2 based off beating genaro, manfredy, justin juuko, carlos alberto rios, and carlos gerena. i wouldn't say that was the hard way. anyone else did that they probably wouldn't even be ranked. then they made him #1 based on beating gatti and he's been coasting ever since.

[Wolfie*]

the hard way? he went to #2 based off beating genaro, manfredy, justin juuko, carlos alberto rios, and carlos gerena. i wouldn't say that was the hard way. anyone else did that they probably wouldn't even be ranked. then they made him #1 based on beating gatti and he's been coasting ever since.

Corrales and castillo were good wins man.

[daggum]

Corrales and castillo were good wins man.

yes but he was #2 before fighting them which proves he had a silver spoon his entire career.

[Weebler I]

As said, it's the enormous amount of skills he has and that leaves most, from casuals to hardcore fans talking.

Doubtful, for example, compare the case of hugely skilled Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux to that of the significantly lesser talented but more popular Adrien Broner.

Like Adrien Broner or an Anthony Mundine in Australia, I think it's primarily controversy that sells where Mayweather is concerned.

[jas]

yes but he was #2 before fighting them which proves he had a silver spoon his entire career.

You're one of, if not the best poster here but they ranked Floyd number 2 p4p before gatti fight because of his skill level and they proved to be right.

He's beaten 9 hall of famers in his career but recently has ducked fighters because he's making tons fighting other guys

[KRITKL]

Doubtful, for example, compare the case of hugely skilled Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux to that of the significantly lesser talented but more popular Adrien Broner.

Like Adrien Broner or an Anthony Mundine in Australia, I think it's primarily controversy that sells where Mayweather is concerned.

Exactly, Floyd's style is not casual viewer friendly. But given a huge audience of people using 24/7 that was given to him by HBO and by fighting boxings #1 cash cow. He used his over the top WWE style personality to attract people who enjoy it and became the number one boxing earner.