Floyd Mayweather: Champion Continues to Prove It's All About Money

Things have been interesting for Floyd Mayweather, Jr. over the past month or so, haven't they?

He was granted an early release from prison on Aug. 3 after serving two months on a domestic abuse charge.

He was rumored to have placed a $3 million bet on Michigan football, and he dropped $200,000 on the Dallas Cowboys for the second half of last night's NFL season opener against the Giants, a bet which he not only told the world about, but posted a photo of the betting slip to prove:

"

I bet the Cowboys second half $200,000. This is real. Not a rumor like Michigan.instagr.am/p/POBKB0x3Rs/

— Floyd Mayweather (@FloydMayweather) September 6, 2012"

In an interview with Peter Rosenberg of New York's Hot 97 FM, Mayweather announced that he'll be working once again with Vince McMahon and the WWE (via cagesideseats.com): "I'm about to go back to the WWE. Yes. WrestleMania, yes. WrestleMania, I'll be back." It's a move that is sure to be a lucrative one.

His most telling statements during his talk with Rosenberg, however, revolved around the one fight that boxing fans have been clamoring for: Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. Said Floyd (via fighthype.com):

"

I don't have any hate towards Manny Pacquiao, you know. I respect him, but I'm just saying, it's not a crime. I'm also saying I'ma do random blood and urine testing, you know, just so I can be in a clean sport. That's all I'm asking.

Actually, we don't do the same type of numbers, so how can we split? We don't draw the same type of money.

It's kind of hard. I mean, Arum wants money, but the thing is, it's about putting the fighters in a good position. It's about Pacquiao and Mayweather. It's about putting both fighters in a good position, and of course I'm going to put myself in a good position.

"

I'll never be one to say that a professional athlete shouldn't make as much money as they possibly can when the opportunity presents itself, because their careers are short and the opportunities to cash in on their considerable talents are fleeting.

But Mayweather has amassed more than a small fortune over his career, pulling in $20 million for his last fight alone.

Against Pacquiao, we are talking about a fight that will set a new record for pay-per-view buys, a fight that will result in a very generous payday for both fighters.

Mayweather doesn't want to split down the middle because he thinks he's the bigger draw, and he's probably right.

But are those extra millions really going to change anything for Floyd Mayweather? Is his lavish lifestyle going to have to be totally revamped because he took a little less than he normally would in order to give the fans the fight they want and the sport that made him a giant the fight it so desperately needs?

No, they aren't.

But this isn't about the sport of boxing, and is certainly isn't about the fans.

When it comes to Floyd "Money" Mayweather, it's always about one thing and one thing alone.

Money.