Is Floyd Mayweather Jr. returning to boxing because he misses the limelight? Perhaps he feels he's still the best fighter in the world and wants to defend his pound-for-pound title? Or could it be that he's broke and needs the cash? The right answer may be "all of the above".
Despite claims by Mayweather's management that Pretty Boy has no money problems, public records show him owing nearly $6.4 million: a tax lien of $6.17 for unpaid taxes in 2007, New Jersey state taxes of $193,000 in 2007, unresolved debts worth $9,400 to three homeowners associations, $3,900 to a contractor that programmed electronics at one of his houses, and $320 to his trash collector.
Team Mayweather can try to spin this story any way they want, but it sure sounds like a money problem.
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Although this would be disappointing it frankly wouldn’t be surprising. Boxing has a long history of great fighters who end up being destitute and in many cases forced to fight too long and suffering long term damage. In the HBO documentaries that I watched Mayweather appeared intelligence and balanced but it also seemed like he an ‘Ali-style’ entourage and a Michael Jackson lifestyle that would be difficult to support in the long term. I think he’s one of the most talented athletes I’ve ever seen and it would be a shame if his well earned compensation was squandered on frivolous purchases and shallow friendships. I was equally surprised by a story you ran recently that Holyfield was about to have his house re-possessed. Unfortunately, PBF’s big earning days are finite and frankly he probably doesn’t have alot left. I hope he can turn this around and live out a retirement that fits the effort and entertainment he provided.
Chalk up one more reason that FMJ is a punk. A real man pays his bills. A punk runs up the tab, overspends and avoids paying debts. This so called “man” is nothing more than a little boy with boxing skills.
I feel no sympathy whatsoever for someone who has made as much money as this guy, but still can’t live responsibly. I’d like to see him lose everything and be brought down a bunch of pegs – he and his entire rappin’ entourage.
Just more of his true character being exposed. I hope Manny seals his fate … Floyd has no class.
WHEN YOUR THAT YOUNG YOU NEED TO BE GUIDED, YOU NEED TO SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GOOD PEOPLE WHO WILL HELP YOU MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS. UNFORTUNATELY IT DOESN’T SEEM FLOYD HAD THAT. AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU CAN NOT TAKE AWAY ANYTHING FROM HIM. HE IS A TRUE PROFESSIONAL BOXER AT THE TOP OF HIS GAME, HE TALKS A GOOD GAME BECAUSE IN ANY KIND OF LIMELIGHT THESE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS WERE TAUGHT HOW TO MAKE THE PURSE GROW. WHICH FLOYD DOES WELL. I STILL THINK HE DESERVES THE STATUS OF CHAMP THAT HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED. LOVE HIM OR HATE HIM..HE IS A TRUE CHAMP!
HAHAHAHAHA!!!! NI66ER RICH!!!
So much for the moniker and mouth of the self-proclaimed lifestyle of the “Philthy Rich”. Happens when you are young and overzealous, surrounding yourself with inept management and worthless folks who call themselves “friends”. We witness these examples in the media all the time and especially recently but I won’t name names. Truth is, superstardom is a lonely walk of life that gets lonelier when the dough runs out and all your so called friends, family and business associates turn away. With all of his talent, Floyd better smarten-up and make some wise business decisions or he’ll end up like many well-known boxers who die broke and penniless.
I’ll reiterate from previous threads that the next big fight should be Mosely vs. Mayweather for many reasons. One – I firmly believe that Shane can KO Floyd. Two – it will be a BIG draw and finally the payday and renumeration for which Mosely highly deserves. Three – look at Shane’s record, never been KO’d or even floored in his shining career, he’s a tough cat. I’ve always wanted to see Mayweather get KO’d just once to show the world that he’s human and not the invincible dude most think he is. Plus, there’s something about a bonafide beating that humbles even the cockiest fighter. In my opinion this fight should be signed ASAP and HEAVILY promoted. As much as I like Pacquiao, somebody convince the promoters that Mosely vs. Mayweather will no doubt be fight of the year!
Let’s not forget that in the 24/7 series for Mayweather v. Delahoya, Mr. Flashy was seen on multiple occasions placing bets on a number of sports. Lots of cash + Vegas + a spend-it-since-I-have-it attitude = money problems. I’m not surprised. It’s a shame, since he grossed so much in the last several years.
If he financed record prodution through his vanity record label, then that was a cash sinkhole too. It’s too bad. Vegas is a really inexpensive place to live well (excellent bang for buck in terms of home prices compared to CA and no state income taxes), assuming you can overcome the ghetto paradigm and live without burning your money likes it’s infinite.
phlogger – I’m with you on the Moseley fight. Shane’s been my favorite boxer since his early days as a lightweight when he absolutely obliterated that division. I think people forget how unbelievably dominant he was – he was like the Tyson of his division. Some of his lightweight knockouts were some of the most devastating I’ve ever seen in ANY weight class.
Even though he’s nearing the end of his career, Shane still possesses the skills to hand Floyd a beating. HOWEVER … it seems that in recent years you can never quite be sure if Shane will have an off night – there always seems to be that little bit of doubt. If Shane fights at his best I sincerely believe he can knock out PBF.
Despite that, I think overall the public would far and away rather see Manny/Floyd. Too bad, because Shane has always been a class act in and out of the ring. It would be nice to see him get a nice chunck of the action after providing so many memorable fights.
phlogger:
Great points on Mosley. Nobody deserves a big money fight more than Shane. Especially since he probably has no more than 2-3 fights left at the elite level.
One correction, he has been floored. Vernon Forest floored him twice in the 2nd round of their 1st fight.
Just wanted to chime back in a second. Guys, I’m glad that you feel the same about Mosely vs. Mayweather too. With all the focus on Manny upseting Hatton, everyone seems to think Manny & Floyd will be the one to watch. I happen to be a big fan of Manny, having watched him since 1997, but Shane should get the opportunity and a shot for a large purse. His record and professionalism warrant that. Plus, he’s getting old (although I feel he’s now in his prime and back to the comfort of his dominant weight), just look at how he dismantled Margarito with his packed gloves and all.
Those fights Shane had against Vernon Forrest were some of his worst and the flash knockdowns were easily forgotten on my part, but he was able to go 12 rds. in both. He was also outclassed by Winky who has tremendous defensife skills and then lost a UD to Cotto. Other than that, he’s had a stellar career and finally back at the top of his game.
My favorite boxer of all time was Marvelous Marvin Hagler and I can’t help but remember the “slip/push” he sustained against Juan Roldan which the ref called a knockdown when it clearly wasn’t. Other than that flaw and the stupid loss to Leonard, I compare Shane’s tenacity, jaw, skills and talent to Hagler’s. And both are/were all business in the ring, never ducked a fight. Both are classy guys, never created personal messes in their public life that tainted their persona.
Shane just deserves a shot against PBF and he’s earned the right and proven that he can bounce back from a few minor losses and his critics. To be honest, even though he’s engaged in some brutal wars with some of the best – he looked the best that I can recall with power, speed and great balance and was simply phenomenal against Maragarito, bottom line.
Book Mosely/Mayweather NEXT and SOON and if Shane doesn’t KO and put an end to Floyd’s gallant comeback, let Manny finish him off later.
phlogger:
As much as I agree with your analysis I do not see Shane getting the PBF fight. If PBF beats JMM and Manny beats Cotto, both more likely than not.
They will then fight each other (PBF v Manny), just for the simple reason of economics. For some reason, as great a fighter as Shane has been it has never translated into being a big economic draw.
I am also a big Hagler fan, as a matter of fact he now lives over here in Italy in Milan.
I will go a step further on the Roldan fight, I remember it well, it was not even a flash knockdown, it was clearly a slip, IMHO.
Conversley, the 1st Forest knockdown of Mosley was far from a flash knockdown. You may be able see it on youtube, Shane was in big trouble after that knockdown. Of course, Forest was all wrong style wise for Shane.
OK – just to get things back on track about PBF being out of money – I’d like to say one final thing:
Hardy har har har har har!
(can ya tell I don’t like the guy?)
FJM may make the boxing hall of fame, but it be worth it if paid up his debts and paid up the lawsuits against him. Any Hall of Fame candidate should at least be honorable and a gentleman whose reputation as a gentleman is a whole lot more than
any boxing ring title. Physical prowess is not and never will be a substitute for Honor and Integrity.
Physical prowess , Boxing ring savvy is not and never will be a substitute for Honor and Integrity.