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Originally posted by Njord777
I have two, different opinions on this matter. The short- no, I do not believe Floyd Mayweather is ducking Margarito, even though news has just broken that Margarito will be on a fight card with Cotto (not fighting, but as a double header) rather than on Mayweather's November date.
Firstly, I am a Mayweather fan (maybe more of an admirer). Secondly, I am running out of patience, and the desire, to call myself such based on his choice of opposition. Recently he has fought Gatti- a fight everyone who knew boxing knew he would win, Sharmba Mitchell- as a nonsense tune-up to his next opponent- Zab Judah who had just lost his crown to our new friend Baldomir. Where was the challenge? The victory of beating an elite opponent, or at least someone people thought he might lose to?
Still, I think we forget that Mayweather has been in the boxing game for a very long time now, over a decade, and just recently risen to pound for pound greatness in the eyes of the boxing community. As a young man he wants money- first and foremost the kid wants to collect on his career success. Who knows when a herniated disc in the back, or a rough fight, may end your career. He wants to cash in now that he is at the top. Having played the role of the bad-guy for so many years; court battles and out-of-the-ring troubles drowning him, Floyd has just begun to become liked. Traditonaly he was a type you loved to hate- this huge influx of fans is a new event.
So Floyd is all about the money...fine. But eventually he has to prove our faith in him is merited. He has speed. He has skills. But does the guy have heart? Does he have the desire to carve a career- to create a legend- or does he just want some money to expand the South wing of his mansion?
So, I understand why he is choosing not to fight Margarito. He wants a bigger name. He wants more money. He's not afraid of Antonio- Floyd is far too ****y to even entertain the idea a rough fighter like Margarito could beat him- but he is perhaps less about the legacy and more about the payday. Floyd is not scared of Margarito, he is scared of not being able to buy a new Aston Martin. He wants to take an easy fight probably before butting heads with Oscar in his mega fight and then, should he win, end out the year against Mosley. Two huge pay-days. Why bother even chancing a loss or less than stellar showing when he has such massive dollar signs on the horizon.
So, for the record I do not believe he is ducking Margarito, but looking to secure what is best for his career. The best thing for Floyd's career is not to blow his chances fighting De la Hoya and Mosley. I will amend my statement, though, on two conditions. I will think there may be a hint of fear if Floyd : 1.) Announces the pay-day he fights is signifigantly lower than the 8 million he was offered to fight Margarito, and, 2.) The opponent is a complete bum choice. Someone not even holding the illusion of credibility like Baldomir and his belt. If the opponent is someone who leaves us going shaking out heads, Floyd is being a bum.
If I am correct, and Floyd just wants money over legacy, then that needs to be shown in his payday. He could fight a bum and get almost all the pay-per-view revenue and a massive split (say 70/30) to end up making more than the 8 million. Still, he treads a very thin line with me. What I think of him depends greatly on his next three opponents.
I will forgive him if he fights Baldomir with a majority split of the purse, making him more than 8 million, because I can see how it made financial sense for him. In addition, many Gatti fans will pay to see Baldomir again after what he did to their boy, and while waiting for the mega-fights I mentioned next year, winning the linear Welterweight championship gives him more credibility at the weight, even if it was against a bum. At least an arguement could be made for his achievements at 147. If Mayweather makes less than 8 million for a Baldy fight, or if is next two opponents after this are not De la Hoya and another top name....then me and Mayweather have problems. Until then, I realize he is a young guy looking to reap the rewards of fighting his entire life to get to where he is. He wants a retirement fund high enough to buy him a nice little island and the Fanta girls as his nurses.
Firstly, I am a Mayweather fan (maybe more of an admirer). Secondly, I am running out of patience, and the desire, to call myself such based on his choice of opposition. Recently he has fought Gatti- a fight everyone who knew boxing knew he would win, Sharmba Mitchell- as a nonsense tune-up to his next opponent- Zab Judah who had just lost his crown to our new friend Baldomir. Where was the challenge? The victory of beating an elite opponent, or at least someone people thought he might lose to?
Still, I think we forget that Mayweather has been in the boxing game for a very long time now, over a decade, and just recently risen to pound for pound greatness in the eyes of the boxing community. As a young man he wants money- first and foremost the kid wants to collect on his career success. Who knows when a herniated disc in the back, or a rough fight, may end your career. He wants to cash in now that he is at the top. Having played the role of the bad-guy for so many years; court battles and out-of-the-ring troubles drowning him, Floyd has just begun to become liked. Traditonaly he was a type you loved to hate- this huge influx of fans is a new event.
So Floyd is all about the money...fine. But eventually he has to prove our faith in him is merited. He has speed. He has skills. But does the guy have heart? Does he have the desire to carve a career- to create a legend- or does he just want some money to expand the South wing of his mansion?
So, I understand why he is choosing not to fight Margarito. He wants a bigger name. He wants more money. He's not afraid of Antonio- Floyd is far too ****y to even entertain the idea a rough fighter like Margarito could beat him- but he is perhaps less about the legacy and more about the payday. Floyd is not scared of Margarito, he is scared of not being able to buy a new Aston Martin. He wants to take an easy fight probably before butting heads with Oscar in his mega fight and then, should he win, end out the year against Mosley. Two huge pay-days. Why bother even chancing a loss or less than stellar showing when he has such massive dollar signs on the horizon.
So, for the record I do not believe he is ducking Margarito, but looking to secure what is best for his career. The best thing for Floyd's career is not to blow his chances fighting De la Hoya and Mosley. I will amend my statement, though, on two conditions. I will think there may be a hint of fear if Floyd : 1.) Announces the pay-day he fights is signifigantly lower than the 8 million he was offered to fight Margarito, and, 2.) The opponent is a complete bum choice. Someone not even holding the illusion of credibility like Baldomir and his belt. If the opponent is someone who leaves us going shaking out heads, Floyd is being a bum.
If I am correct, and Floyd just wants money over legacy, then that needs to be shown in his payday. He could fight a bum and get almost all the pay-per-view revenue and a massive split (say 70/30) to end up making more than the 8 million. Still, he treads a very thin line with me. What I think of him depends greatly on his next three opponents.
I will forgive him if he fights Baldomir with a majority split of the purse, making him more than 8 million, because I can see how it made financial sense for him. In addition, many Gatti fans will pay to see Baldomir again after what he did to their boy, and while waiting for the mega-fights I mentioned next year, winning the linear Welterweight championship gives him more credibility at the weight, even if it was against a bum. At least an arguement could be made for his achievements at 147. If Mayweather makes less than 8 million for a Baldy fight, or if is next two opponents after this are not De la Hoya and another top name....then me and Mayweather have problems. Until then, I realize he is a young guy looking to reap the rewards of fighting his entire life to get to where he is. He wants a retirement fund high enough to buy him a nice little island and the Fanta girls as his nurses.
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