Especially since he dropped the “Pretty Boy” and became “Money,” Floyd Mayweather has always had an air of “I don’t give a sh** what you think” about him.
Whether it be regarding his appalling record of violence against women, repeated racist comments (re Pacquiao/Filipino’s) or particularly this flagrant Andre Berto cherry-pick, Mayweather – and the sycophantic yes men who surround him (Chief of whom is Leonard Ellerbe)- ostensibly cares not what the public thinks.
At the first official presser to announce the fight on Thursday, this was more evident than ever in his bold attempts to justify Berto for this “final” fight of his long and illustrious career.
Appearing as if he actually believes the words coming out of his mouth, the carefully cultivated and media-trained version of Mayweather said;
“I chose Berto because he’s very exciting. Andre Berto is going to push Floyd Mayweather to the limit. That’s one thing I do know.”
“Berto is a tough competitor, a former world champion and every time he goes out there, he gives it 100 percent,” he said.
Berto is a game fighter, and he has been in some action packed contests in his career – most notably 2011’s Victor Ortiz fight, which lost him his WBC welterweight title – though he has been blowing hot and cold (mostly cold) since that time, and has lost 3 of his last 6 fights– a phrase the media is already using to great effect to batter the September 12th event with.
“Berto is a very tough guy, he’s hungry and he’s not going to lie down,” Mayweather continued, and for those watching elsewhere – like this writer – the whole thing felt a bit like an exercise in bullsh** endurance.
Perhaps if it had been aired on network television in the US – as early rumours reported – it may have been a little less of a bitter pill to swallow, though fans there are being charged a hard-to-justify $64.95/74.95 in HD! – leaving Brits hoping that Boxnation, rather than Sky (Box Office), pick up the UK TV rights as they have for recent Mayweather fights, (Pacquiao excluded.)
However, given the negative reaction to the fight, it’s doubtful Sky could justify making it a Box Office event in any case – it simply will not sell in enough numbers here.
Showtime exec & master of spin, Steven Espinoza, was also keen to back his cash cow – a money spinner that ostensibly comes to an end with this final fight of Floyd’s 6 fight contract with the broadcaster.
“I think the choice of Berto to some extent was a little bit of a reaction to some of fans’ (poor) responses to the Pacquiao fight and wanting to see more action out of an opponent for Floyd,” he said. “One thing we know about Andre Berto is he has never lacked for action. There’s only one way he knows how to fight, and that’s all-out aggressive.”
Berto, who will aim to spring one of the monumental Honeyghan/Curry, Tyson/Douglas style boxing upsets in September, played his part and respectfully said;
“Him coming off of the Pacquiao fight, of course, it’s easy for people to downplay me. I can’t worry about that and I’m not worried about that. Have you ever seen a boring Andre Berto fight?”
Whether Floyd goes on to try and beat Rocky Marciano’s hallowed 49-0 as many expect him to is unclear, although speaking separately to ESPN after hand yesterday, that appeared not to be the case – for now.
“On ESPN – I’m letting you guys know. I don’t plan on fighting anymore.” he said.
I’m personally taking that to mean that once he gets past colossal underdog Berto in September, we can probably expect the totally unheralded Karim Mayfield for May 2016!
Twitter @Undilutedpoison
