Floyd Mayweather has continued to be negative toward certain sections of the media despite several years of praise for his ring achievements.
Mayweather wrongly attributes the negativity of his exhibition output to a racial issue rather than the actual showpiece on offer. He completely missed the mark with a startling rant over his continued decision to compete in exhibitions approaching his fifties.
Taking a swipe at anyone who doesn’t see it the same way as him, Mayweather said, “Retirement isn’t about slowing down. It’s about living on your own terms.
“I’ve worked hard to build a life where I can choose my adventures, and if those adventures still bring in multi-millions, even better! Success isn’t something you retire from. It’s something you refine.
“Exhibitions are my way of giving my fans, old and new, the opportunity to witness my greatness on any stage I choose. That’s what any successful businessman and boss would do.
“It’s okay for Jeff Bezos, who is 60, Bill Gates at 68, and Warren Buffett at 93, to continuously build their legacies and wealth, and they’re celebrated as smart businessmen. But when I, a Black man far younger in age, choose to do the same, somehow it becomes a problem for naysayers with nothing to their name.
“The bottom line is there are too many of you busy pocket-watching while I’m busy still creating wealth and legacy.”
Despite being well past his expiration date, Mayweather still laces up the gloves in events against influencers and non-boxers. Vindicating his participation in bouts, like the one against John Gotti III in Mexico last month, Mayweather was miles away from his usual genius defense.
‘Money’ seems to think the negativity surrounding his post-professional career headliners is about taking home a paycheck or the color of his skin. Floyd couldn’t be more out of sync with the real reasons.
The detraction, certainly when coming from World Boxing News, only comes in the form of his ability to perform on the main stage. Mayweather’s faculties are undoubtedly not what they once were, and the five-weight world champion also seems to believe some comedy relief is needed. Both of those reasons only take away from his performances. They add nothing.
So when Floyd launches a verbal assault on the negativity and states he’s only ‘giving the fans a chance to witness greatness,’ it’s slipped Mayweather’s mind that he no longer possesses that ultimate skill factor that made him so special to watch.
Swapping out referees, pretending to be a ring girl, and the other antics he’s performed for the crowds at recent fights only cheapen the once-awesome product. Floyd needs to hang them up for good before he takes away from his legacy rather than enhancing it.
Those kinds of events do nothing to add to the 50-0 CV he put together between 1996 and 2017. And that’s the only reason Mayweather gets any bad press.
Floyd Mayweather would be far more useful in passing on his knowledge to the next generation rather than continuing to pocket cash for a substandard product. As for his relentless mentioning of race, that can only be put down to things Mayweather must have experienced in the past.
However, much of his disdain is directed at the media, who have done nothing but champion the fighter for being undoubtedly the best defensive boxer ever. Floyd keeps tarnishing his relationship with pockets of the media despite permanently stamping his mark on the sport.
Long after he’s gone, Mayweather will be remembered for his skills and not for the color of his skin. Let’s hope he realizes that fact soon.
The views expressed in this article are the opinions of Phil Jay. Learn more, read all articles from the experienced boxing writer, and follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
