Floyd Mayweather's Bravado Highlights Hype for Bout with Manny Pacquiao
Love him or hate him, no one hypes a fight like Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. He's at it again with his carefully orchestrated appearances ahead of his clash with Manny Pacquiao on May 2, which some consider the fight of the century.
In an exclusive interview with ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, Mayweather talks hoops, his place in boxing history and of course the upcoming fight with Pacquiao. One of the most interesting aspects of Mayweather's conversation with Smith is Money's proclamation that he is better than Muhammad Ali.
Most would consider Mayweather's statement to be sacrilegious, but after listening to his rationale, Money's claims aren't as far-fetched as some might originally believe.
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Mayweather shows off his knowledge of boxing history by pointing out that Ali lost to Leon Spinks, a fighter who had just seven professional fights prior to beating the man most refer to as "The Greatest."
Money asks Smith: "Do you think there's a fighter with only seven fights who could beat me?" Smith answers, "No." Just about anyone who has watched Mayweather and is interested in giving an honest opinion would have to respond the same way.
A lot of fighters brag about what they will do in the ring, but few have backed it up 47 times like Mayweather. None have raked in the obscene amounts of cash that Money has in his illustrious career. To have done it without taking immense amounts of physical punishment is extraordinary.
Here's a guy who hasn't scored a knockout victory in almost four years, but who still carries the appeal of a fighter who engages in wars and demolishes opponents with one or two punches.
Mayweather's style is appreciated by folks who understand that the art of the sweet science is to hit and to make opponents miss. Casual fans tend to prefer the fighters who do more punching than evading. Mayweather is the exact opposite, yet he's the pay-per-view king.
The May 2 bout is set to break revenue records at almost every turn. Per Daniel Prescott of the Daily Mail, the special belt that Mayweather and Pacquiao will fight for is worth over $1 million.
Aside from the bravado, Mayweather also has moments of pure honesty. He tells Smith, "He [Pacquiao] is not just a normal fighter." You get the feeling that Mayweather knows how special this upcoming bout is, and that makes it all the more important to fight fans.
Even though he acknowledges that Pacquiao is a different animal, Mayweather maintains he will beat his rival and continue his unblemished legacy in the sport. No one knows for sure if Mayweather will complete his mission and defeat Pacquiao, but we'll all be there watching—whether it's as a hater or as a supporter.
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