At a certain point, however, he will set aside the lure of boxing immortality for the much less glamorous life of retirement. In the meanwhile, his sites are set on remaining undefeated and securing his position on top of boxing’s Mount Rushmore.
EBM: A lot of time people are thrown off by your arrogance, but surprisingly you’re a really insightful guy who seems to be a dedicated boxing aficionado. Does that term better describe you?
Floyd Mayweather Jr.: I think what intimidates people the most is my supreme confidence. I am a tactician that is determined to go down as the pound for pound best boxer ever. And also, I don’t think people understand the salesmanship that is required for a boxer of my caliber. I am without question the best boxer there is and by me being that I realize everyone’s coming for my head and I have to show them why I am without question the best boxer they’ve ever seen.
EBM: You’ve made some serious allegations about your sport, and certain boxers within the sport. Were you misinterpreted?
Floyd Mayweather Jr.: What did I say? Anything I said was the truth!
EBM: Well, you accused Pacquiao of using enhancement drugs, Shane Mosley, etc.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.: Listen, I’ve given a lot to the sport of boxing and I’ve always respected it even when the sport may have not have respected me, but I refuse to let it be destroyed. The sport of boxing has always been a clean sport, all of sudden you have these old boxers performing better now then they did in their youth. That is physically impossible. Pacquiao at his best, just eight years ago was an average fighter. But today he’s faster, stronger and less injury prone than he was in his early twenties come on. We had nearly 30 million dollars on the table for us to fight but he refused and all because of a drug test. Man I’m not buying it! But what I do understand is that they’re all trying to increase their chance of beating me. It’s time to clean it up. Again, what I speak is the truth and the guys you’re referring to are known cheaters with a history of questionable character.
Everything I’ve done for the sport has been to make it better. Revenue is up, purses are larger and the fan base has grown. Yet I’m still underappreciated and rarely do they want to give me and my team credit for making the sport as enjoyable as it.
EBM: How do you respond to your critics that have said you really haven’t been tested?
Floyd Mayweather Jr.: Is that my fault? What they want to see is me get my head smashed in. That’s all they’re saying when they say, “well he hasn’t been tested.” They want me to stand in the center of the ring and let my opponent beat my brains in for their own gratification. I’m a boxer. I’m trained to duck and dodge punches, slip attacks, and I’m the best there is at that but because of my skill; they want me to take more punches. It’s like when the NBA changed the rules so players could defend against Shaq. I’m that dominant that they want to change the rules simply to see me lose. And it’s always surprising to hear my critics because these are always guys who’ve never taken a punch in their lives let alone compete on this level. They’re pin pushers and they hide behind those pins and their un-athletic ability.
EBM: There was a time when many of the viewers were turning to MMA matches and other octagon type fighting matches. Were you ever worried about boxing losing its draw?
Floyd Mayweather Jr.: That’s exactly why we have to be careful and rid the rapid drug use and shady promoters from the sport because it will ultimately damage boxing, but I doubt if it will be cage fighting that we lose to. Boxing is almost like going to an art gallery; its artistry. Two well-conditioned fighters in a ring swinging with precision and in harmony is far different than letting two men, and many of them untrained run to the center of a cage and clash. There’s a great deal of skill that goes into boxing and boxing fans know that. Though that doesn’t mean we can’t be affected by the success of cage fighting, it’s just that we are established well enough that only boxing can destroy boxing.
EBM: On several occasions you made references about crooked promoters. Are you dissatisfied with the way Bob Arum is managing Manny Pacquiao’s career?
Floyd Mayweather Jr.: I just wish Manny Pacquiao was his on man. In both of Pacquiao’s last two fights Bob Arum made more money than he did. To me that’s unacceptable! And some of the decisions that he’s making for him (Pacquiao) just don’t make sense. I generate upwards of $300 million dollars a fight. Every fighter that goes against me get’s his biggest payday simply for fighting me: Oscar, Ricky Hatton, and Shane Mosley. Yet this dude (Arum) wants to make all of these stipulations and ask for concessions to even set up a match for what would be an epic fight merely to fight a fighter that Pacquiao knows he doesn’t have a chance in beating. And the only reason why it would be epic is because people are waiting for me to lose, but what they don’t understand is Manny Pacquiao is not a good enough fighter to even contend with me. He’s a “slightly” above average fighter now that he’s “older” but still with considerable deficiencies in his ability. And if his handlers are telling him anything differently they are lying to him and they don’t have his best interest in mind. They’re using him.
EBM: When you talk about boxing not showing you the amount of respect you deserve, what do you mean?
Floyd Mayweather Jr.: I’m the only undisputed champ in boxing right now. I’ve generated an enormous draw and the amount of money I’m making for these networks is through the roof yet there is very little protection of my brand by these networks. They overlook me during post fights; they allow fighters in the audience to come in the ring and speak during my interviews and they take shots at me, and I’m the champion. It’s unheard of, but I also understand their intent. It’s all a part of that build and destroy concept. They are waiting on me to fall hard on my face and not get up because secretly they resent my strength and me understanding my worth, which makes it very hard for them (meaning boxing promoters) to take advantage of me. I’m my own man, and intelligent might I add. I see it clearly; they would rather promote an average fighter from the Philippines and make him the face of boxing then me, a home grown champion. And it’s cool, he can be the face, but Imma get the checks. They gotta pay me!
EBM: At this stage of your career, do you think you’ve done enough in the sport to solidify your legacy?
Floyd Mayweather Jr.: I would hope so; 13 title fights, five different weight classes, and six world championships. My resume speaks for itself and if what I’ve done isn’t enough then there is no such thing as a boxing legend.
EBM: Are you prepared for life after boxing?
Floyd Mayweather Jr.: I am. Boxing is a tough sport, you can really lose your marbles in the ring, but I’ve been able to throw off fighters with my skill, therefore ducking much of the abuse that most fighters endure, so everything upstairs is still in tack. So when I’m done fighting I’ll be able to run my business and protect my interest.
EBM: You have your hands in so many things, what will be your focus when you leave boxing?
Floyd Mayweather Jr.: I don’t know yet. Right now my focus is knocking Shane Mosley out, which I intend to do and I will go from there. I have several opportunities waiting for me it’s just that I have to figure out what I want to do.
EBM: We greatly appreciate you and thank you for the interview.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.: No problem.
