Floyd Mayweather, Jr: Why Does He Remain Popular Despite Criminal Record?

Undefeated American boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr seems to be getting even more popular despite his documented criminal records which include a conviction for criminal offense in 2002

In 2005, Mayweather, Jr pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault and battery for a bar fight and ordered to perform community service.

On top of the documented court convictions, Mayweather Jr.has been charged in 2005 by his live-in partner and mother of his children Josie Harris, for kicking and hitting her during an argument outside a Las Vegas night club, though he was later acquitted when Harris recanted in his testimony.

In July this year Maweather was sued and evicted from his Nevada office for non payment of rent. TDF Investments says Mayweather signed a lease in July 2008 for Mayweather Promotions at nearly $10,800 per month for three years.

The IRS has so far placed two liens on Mayweather Jr’s properties in 2004 and 2008 for unpaid taxes. In 2004, a tax lien worth $3.1 million was placed on a property belonging to Mayweather Jr. And again in 2008, the IRS slapped another lien, this time for $6.1 million on another Mayweather Jr. property.

The second lien forced Mayweather Jr. out of retirement. He was about to face dire consequences of his tax problems when he fought Juan Manuel Marquez and from his earnings, paid off the 2008 lien.

Another court suit Mayweather is facing was filed by Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao last year for defamation. The case stems from Mayweather's accusation Pacquiao is using steroids or performance-enhancing drugs to gain added advantage over his opponents which Pacquiao denied. The lawsuit is pending resolution in a US district court.

Despite the controversies surrounding Mayweather's colorful career, boxing fans are asking why the undefeated boxer remains popular.

Mayweather is indeed popular as knowleageable media people would know. He could be popular for the wrong reasons but the fact remains he is popular.

A case in point is a news article with a Mayweather keyword. As the article goes online or placed on print or broadcast media, it gets more reads or views compared to say Marquez or Mosley.

Sponsors look at the popularity of endorsers same way as print advertisers consider circulation in placing their ads in a newspaper.

Mayweather is a gifted marketing man. For instance, when Pacquiao and Margarito had their press tour to drum up their upcoming fight, Mayweather was all over the tri-media with his racial rant, effectively neutralizing Pacquiao and Margarito's media blitz.

On top of his marketing expertise, Mayweather knows how to use his resources to justify his claim to greatness.

His being undefeated in his professional career is one factor that makes his claim to greatness valid.

Mayweather knows exactly how to use his "0" to justify his claim as the number one boxer of this generation.

He continuously challenges Pacquiao's reign as the current pound-for-pound king and his claim to the title is valid as well.

And why is this? Because he is undefeated. And unless somebody snatches  his "zero" he will continue to remain popular.

Floyd Mayweather, Jr is an American professional boxer. He was born in Grand Rapids Michigan on February 24, 1977. He is the son of Floyd Mayweather, Sr., also a professional boxer in the welterweight division.

Mayweather had an amateur record of 84-6 and won national Golden Gloves championships in 1993 (at 106 lb), 1994 (at 114 lb), and 1996 (at 125 lb). He was given the nickname "Pretty Boy" by his amateur teammates because he had relatively few scars, a result of the defensive techniques that his father (Floyd Mayweather, Sr.) and uncle (Roger Mayweather) had taught him