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

[Luilun]

Spinoff from the Roy Jones thread...

How in the hell did Floyd become so popular???

We agree that by all accounts, to casuals he should be boring as hell inside the ring. Defensive style, doesnt go for the KO, no power, most of his fights are one-sided, throws one punch at a time, puts viewers to sleep...

Career wise, he more known today for his cherry picking ways then giving the fans the fights we want. A Pac fight isnt the first time Floyd refused to give the fans what we want. And he aint the first the first guy to beat Hoya. Shane got to a higher level when he did that but never close to what Floyd is.

Outside the ring, the guy is a complete mess. He cant express himself, is socially awkward, is not enigmatic or self-aware, most people dont a have a single good thing to say about him, I can go on and on before we even get to his criminal record.

Yes he flashes money and that might make a reality tv episode interesting. One episode. Is that all??? If Rigo started throwing money around would HBO want him back on air?

I honestly dont get it. It makes no sense.

So how do ya'll think he made it to the top?

Over hype media big bull ****ter he'll ESPN fights have more action than Floyd fights. You can go to the Maywood Boxing club and watch people spar and that's better than watching Mayweather. Paying Mayweather 30 million is like Al Pachino making a movie about him fishing in a pond

[therealpugilist]

skills pay the bills

Talent, remaining undefeated, a mid career change in public person(pbf was srl lite, interviews were squeaky clean, tried to say the right things and that beaming smile) and leaving top rank


You can tell around 03 to 05 he was becoming bitter being paid less than lesser talents like gatti and the Larry merchant post fight interviews back then were quite chastising for a career winner...if he didn't change his persona no one would have cared how much he won

[IMDAZED]

Talent, remaining undefeated, a mid career change in public person(pbf was srl lite, interviews were squeaky clean, tried to say the right things and that beaming smile) and leaving top rank


You can tell around 03 to 05 he was becoming bitter being paid less than lesser talents like gatti and the Larry merchant post fight interviews back then were quite chastising for a career winner...if he didn't change his persona no one would have cared how much he won

I think you nailed it. And it began in 2003 but against Gatti he embraced that persona and never looked back.

[Doctor_Tenma]

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.

It's factual, casuals acknowledge how skilled Mayweather is and they admire him for that. From his defense, check hook, pull counter, jab to the pit, list goes on. Rigondeaux's problem is that no one wants to fight him and Arum wasn't helping push him.

[joe strong]

great skill & he's the villain everyone wants to see lose. much like carl froch but he earns 5 times the money froch earns. maywether ****y, arrogant, flashes his money but backs it up with outstanding skill. froch has not as much money but he isn't poor, he is arrogant & has a beautiful wife to parade around with. he too can back it up. these guys thrive as the villain...

[DARKSEID]

Floyd isn't just boxing's highest earner, he's the highest paid athlete of all time.

He's worth more than most CEO's.

[Rath]

Media and nothing but the media made him popular

Angelina Jolie made a video clip of her talking about chicken fox and it got more than a million views/hits

Documentaries about climate changes barely got thousands

strange is it not

[therealpugilist]

I think you nailed it. And it began in 2003 but against Gatti he embraced that persona and never looked back.

Although we have not always agreed on things, I know that you actually followed boxing for a long time, not just particular fighters.


It was already clear back in the late 90's that Floyd was the heir apparent to Roy Jones.

Dude has been in the top ten p4p since 1998 but he couldn't get the fights he wanted under Top Rank...he knew wins over ODLH and Mosely were the fights that would skyrocket him past being just a treat for purists and hardcore fans


His tone started to change around 03-05 when Ward-Gatti were getting big checks in fights just being two top ten junior welterweights when he was a champion for 5 years start by '03 and I understood his plight I knew as an 11 year old watching in the Olympics that he would be a special fighter but that doesn't always bring you the big bucks

[PAC-BOY]

end thread now///////

[Reloaded]

You have got to have a very good understanding of boxing to fully understand what a rare talent he is , he does things in a boxing ring that are so subtle so brilliant that most fans dont even see it , he is an amazing fighter , this is why trainers and fighters are in awe of him , the opinions of hating fanboys dont mean sht , children dont buy fights , adults with a brain buy fights .

Floyd is Micheal Jordon , Kelly Slater and Tiger Woods all rolled up in one .