6 Things That Offended Us in HBO's 'Floyd Mayweather: Speaking Out'

HBO's Floyd Mayweather: Speaking Out premiered last Saturday following the second episode of HBO's 24/7 Mayweather/Cotto.

As a huge fight fan and big fan of Floyd Mayweather, I found the Floyd Mayweather: Speaking Out program to be quite pointless, for if you followed Floyd's career and watched all of his 24/7 episodes, all of what you knew already was discussed in this one-on-one interview with Michael Eric Dyson, a Georgetown professor and best-selling author of 16 books.

On April 5, one of the executive producers of HBO emailed me a press release informing me that this new Floyd Mayweather: Speaking Out program would be a different in-depth look into the mind of Floyd Mayweather done by a highly respected journalist who has interviewed both President Obama and hip-hop mogul Jay-Z.

I've seen Michael Eric Dyson on other shows such as Real Time With Bill Maher and I've seen how intelligent Dyson can be and how quick he is to keep it real and call BS when needed. So I assumed that was what would go down when he asked Mayweather about certain topics and questions that all other journalists fail to address with Floyd.

Unfortunately that was not the case, in Floyd Mayweather: Speaking Out, for this program was pretty much just like any other HBO 24/7 episode where Floyd seemed to be the one in control of the entire interview, and perhaps the show was even edited in a certain manner where Floyd had the final say or approval.

Dyson never really pressed Floyd on certain issues that would actually make this a really great interview far superior to all the rest of Mayweather's interviews.

Floyd even makes some bold, controversial statements that may even offend some viewers.

So I decided to list the top six things that offended us in Floyd Mayweather: Speaking Out.

I'm Pretty Sure Martin Luther King & Malcolm X Been to Jail....

After a scene where the judge is explaining why she is sentencing Floyd to do a 90-day sentence it cuts to Floyd saying, "I'm pretty sure Martin Luther King been in jail, I'm pretty sure Malcolm X been to jail and there's been many more that been to jail..."

It appears that Floyd was comparing himself to the late, great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the late, great Malcolm X.

As many know, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most important leaders in the Civil Rights Movement and fought and died to help obtain freedom and equality for all people.

He preached civil disobedience and non-violent methods to overcome injustice and becoming the youngest person ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize for helping to end racial segregation and discrimination.

King was also one of the greatest orators of all time; many use his speeches and quotes to inspire new generations of people today.

If you want to add to all that the Chris Rock simple funny short explanation, we also don't have school or work on Martin Luther King's birthday.

Malcolm X too was one of the most influential African-American leaders in all history. If you ever seen the Malcolm X film by Spike Lee (Both Denzel Washington and Spike Lee should have won Oscars for Best Actor and Best Director that year!) you saw the incredible life that Malcolm X lived and how he turned his life around to become one of the strongest leaders in the world coming up from nothing.

In the early 1990s, everyone of all ethnic backgrounds were wearing the "X" baseball cap as a fashion statement for a few years.

Is it fair game for Mayweather to compare himself to these two African-American leaders who helped change the world and history and who lived and died for what they believed in?

Fight fans, many who were of African American descent expressed their disgust with Floyd comparing himself to MLK and Malcolm X via fight forums and Twitter.

"

@Halestormsports Tweeted: I could have swore I heard Floyd Mayweather compare himself to Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. I just threw up in my mouth.

"

Michael Eric Dyson Butchers Jay-Z Song

Michael Eric Dyson butchers Jay-Z's classic "99 Problems" song and attempts to rap a verse from the song which is supposed to go like:

"

So I...pull over to the side of the road
And I heard "Son do you know why I'm stopping you for?"
Cause I'm young and I'm black and my hat's real low
Do I look like a mind reader sir, I don't know
Am I under arrest or should I guess some more?
"Well you was doing fifty-five in a fifty-four"
"License and registration and step out of the car"
"Are you carrying a weapon on you I know a lot of you are"
I ain't stepping out of (expletive) all my papers legit
"Do you mind if I look round the car a little bit?"
Well my glove compartment is locked so is the trunk and the back
And I know my rights so you gonna need a warrant for that
"Aren't you sharp as a tack are ya some type of lawyer or something?"
"Or somebody important or something?"
Nah I ain't pass the bar but I know a little bit
Enough that you won't illegally search my (expletive)
"Well see how smart you are when the K-9's come"

 

"

This is actually one of the best verses in hip hop history because it cleverly depicts how often a young African-American man is unjustifiably pulled over by the police but instead of just complaining about it Jay-Z makes a poetic masterpiece out of the situation and outsmarts the police all while keeping it hip and street as well.

Dyson showed that he could not only recite the verse correctly, but he is about as good as a rapper as Ryan Seacrest.

This epic failed attempt for Dyson to rap a Jay-Z verse had many pretending that it never even happened.

For the record lets not forget when Floyd Mayweather himself showed the world that he also could not rap at all when in a previous HBO 24/7 episode he began to start rapping about how he was a gorilla...a dog...a gorilla dog.

Dyson Asks Why Do They Claim You Are Racist to Floyd

Dyson asks Mayweather, why do they think you are racist?

Floyd gives a very smart response about how he stands behind his black people and black athletes but explains when other races back up their own people it's okay, but not okay for black people to do the same thing.

Floyd has a good point here; however, he didn't answer Dyson's question correctly, the real reason why many view Floyd as being racist is because of his infamous racist Ustream video rant.

Joseph Santoliquito wrote a good piece on this subject as well as other good points on the Floyd Mayweather: Speaking Out program titled: Is Floyd Mayweather Racist?

For the record, I do not personally think Floyd is racist. Ignorant, insecure, jealous may better describe why he makes such blunt comments.

But take Mel Gibson, for example. Recently again he came under fire for his own rants that may make others view him as racist, anti-Semitic and misogynist pretty much because that was what he was ranting about in the past.

If Floyd answered Dyson honestly, he should have said, "Yeah, I made a mistake and I made a dumb video in the past and that is not me, so I apologized to everyone I offended and that will never happen again.

But let's view the flip side too. Imagine if one of Floyd's opponents who was of a different race made a similar Ustream video and went off on a racist rant using racial slurs, racist stereotypes to joke, insult and attack Floyd then all hell would break loose and Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson would get involved and raise all kinds of hell.

But ask yourself, why didn't Sharpton and Jackson get involved anyway? Why didn't they step in and condemn Floyd for making that racist Ustream video?

I can bet one of Floyd's Rolls Royces that had one of Floyd's opponents of a different race did the same exact thing that he did against Floyd, then Sharpton and Jackson would come to the rescue.

Ali, I'm Better Than You Because Look How Many Weight Classes I Went To

Just as offensive as it was for Mayweather to compare himself to MLK and Malcolm X, he then compares himself to the "Greatest Of All Time" Muhammad Ali.

Floyd says that Ali would consider himself to be better but Floyd would consider himself better for going to more weight classes and dominating in those weight classes.

Mayweather is definitely one of the greatest to ever lace them up, but right away many consider Ali to be the greatest not only because of his legendary reputation but more so the fact that he fought and beat the best of his era.

Ali fought everyone, all the best heavyweights of his time: Liston, Patterson, Frazier, Norton, Foreman.

He did not duck anyone or give anyone the reason to have them believe he was ducking anyone, and even though Ali has five losses on his career record, almost everyone would agree it was the fact that he faced some of the top heavyweight competition of all time enhances his legacy even more so then having an undefeated record.

Floyd then makes the comparison to Ali, stating that many hate him 'cause he's now on top, but after he retires, people will miss him just as they did with Ali.

Unless you are pretty young, then you were probably offended with the fact that Floyd considers himself to be better than Ali.

I for one have Ali's iconic phantom punch of Sonny Liston on the walls of one of my condo's living room to inspire me to shake up the world every time I walk out my door.

Also, Ali is one of the most motivating and inspiring orators of all time. I often listen to his speeches and read his quotes and get inspired by just how confident and how well he pretty much owned all his opponents by reciting poems or rapping about them.

He talked a lot of trash, but he backed up his talk.

I Would Let Obama Walk Me to the Ring Carrying My Belt

Floyd then said a very bold claim that:

"

People want to know how much power Floyd Mayweather's got? I can guarantee you this. I show you how much power I've got. If I could fight Manny Pacquiao, I would let Obama walk me to the ring carrying my belt. Can I make it happen? Absolutely.

"

Dyson again a respected journalist/author/professor known for keeping it real, then decides to just laugh it off and even add the comment, I'd pay to see that.

But is this really how Dyson feels? Did Dyson really want to call Floyd out on such a ridiculous claim?

I was also a bit offended for I actually envisioned our President Obama having to hold those belts for Floyd walking him into the ring as if he lost a big bet.

This is rather disrespectful to the President of the United States of America, a man who many view as the most powerful man in the world and Floyd is insulting his image and reputation by making such a exaggerated claim as if Obama is one of his Money Team entourage members.

As cool and hip as our president is, I think for the most part all rappers, athletes and entertainers should refrain from name dropping his name for it does not do anything for Obama's administration and in fact it would probably even have a bit of a negative effect on him trying to get re-elected.

On a side note Obama is an inspiration not only to the African American youth, but to pretty much all people of all backgrounds for he truly is an example of the American dream.

If Obama could become the president of the United States with his unique background and upbringing, then he is an example that one can dream and accomplish anything and that means it does not have to be just a goal in sports or entertainment.

Manny Pacquiao Needs Floyd Mayweather; Floyd Mayweather Don't Need Manny...

Dyson then finally asks the inevitable Manny Pacquiao question and asks what will it take to fight him?

Floyd then explains he offered him $40 million and that Manny counter offered that it has to be 50/50.

Floyd makes it clear that he is the bigger draw, generating the record-breaking numbers so that Manny should not be offered the same amount as himself.

Dyson then finally gets to a real question asking: People have tried to say that Floyd Mayweather does not want to face Manny Pacquiao and that he lacks the heart?

Floyd responds stating he's happy with how his career has went and he says he absolutely wants the fight with Manny Pacquiao.

But Floyd then goes on to explain that his $40 million offer  will not change and he is not budging. He then ends the Pacquiao subject by saying Manny Pacquiao needs Floyd Mayweather and Floyd Mayweather don't need Manny Pacquiao.

Dyson just says right, right as if either he realizes there is no point of pressing the Manny Pacquiao fight questions with Floyd or perhaps he was told he is not to press the Manny Pacquiao questions?

Either way, the interview not only falls flat it falls into the failure or disappointment category for again if you are a Mayweather fan like myself, you already knew everything that was said in this interview.

I for one like to watch interviews where I learn something new or see a professional balanced journalist really ask the questions and go for the answers that no one else was able to successfully execute.

Is Floyd just creating intentional buzz and hype so we talk about him and thus get interested in buying the upcoming fight with Cotto? Probably he does what he knows best, and that is turning it up for the cameras to get people talking.

At the beginning of the interview we see Larry Merchant and his now infamous altercation with Floyd after defeating Victor Ortiz, where Floyd ends up cussing out Merchant and storming out of the ring. Unfortunately, Larry Merchant is one of the only people bold enough and successful enough to really ask Floyd the real questions that many others are either afraid to ask or just unable to.

I was hoping Michael Eric Dyson was going to keep it 100 and be more like Larry Merchant and less like everyone else who ends up either kissing Mayweather's you-know-what.

So maybe Larry Merchant should do the next Speaking Out type of interview and hopefully he will get us the questions and answers that we do not get from anyone else in regards to Floyd Mayweather.

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