Tag Archives: Bob Arum

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FED UP FEMALE BOXERS DEMAND FAIRNESS AND A PLATFORM

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Boxing’s top female athletes have no “nyumbani”, no network to showcase their talent

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NEW YORK — As women continue to make strides toward equality across industries, boxing and its media partners remain in the past by disenfranchising women from a fair opportunity to showcase their skills and earn a living. In the same year that America elected its first female Vice President, a woman of color, the elite women athletes that top the world rankings have no regular television platform or boxing series. Nowhere is this unfair playing field more apparent than in the United States and North America.

The overwhelming majority of top females in boxing have not fought in 2020, or have not fought since January. The pandemic has hit women in boxing even harder than it has hit the men. The picture wasn’t rosy before Covid-19 and, without action, there is no reason to believe that it will improve.

This impacts all women in American boxing, from stars Claressa Shields and Amanda Serrano, to reigning world champions, to six-round and four-round fighters. Other than a handful of athletes, most female boxers must hold down a full-time or part-time job to make ends meet.

Amanda Serrano, Heather Hardy, Ava Knight and others have pursued opportunities in MMA to supplement their income and avoid inactivity. Claressa Shields, the most acclaimed woman in American amateur history, mara mbili ya dhahabu ya Olimpiki medali, and a proven attraction, is presently without a platform and just announced a multi-year deal with the Professional Fighters League.

The unified champion from Flint, Michigan, told The Athletic that, “Ni (ndondi) a sexist sport. It’s sexist with the opportunities we’re given. It’s sexist with the TV time. It’s sexist with how much we get paid. zote tatu. It’s fine for a female boxing star to try her hand at MMA. They shouldn’t be compelled to do so for lack of opportunities.”

“These women consistently deliver great fights and solid viewership numbers,” alisema Lou DiBella, who promotes more women than any other US promotional entity. “They put people in seats, and viewership of their events often rivals the men. These aren’t club level fighters. They are elite world champions and, without television, without a regular platform, they can’t be financially secure or build any kind of fan base. It’s remarkable that women’s boxing is growing its talent pool and raising its stature, given the scarce television and streaming slots that are reserved for female fighters. This is a testament to the resiliency and dedication of boxing’s female athletes, who deserve better.”

Local promoters, who are in the business of growing fighters and filling seats, can offer spots on their cards and regional exposure, but purses are very limited without television revenue. Female fighters’ purses are often limited to a percentage of tickets they sell out of hand.

At the top levels, women are passed over. Heather Hardy, a DiBella Entertainment fighter, has seen the difference in the growth of boxers of both genders. “At press conferences, I sit at a seat at the very end, with the rest of the undercard fights,” ulisema Hardy. “I watch the boys go from sitting next to me at the end of the table, to moving up to the main card, then the co-main, and then the main event, but my seat never moved. No matter how much press I got, no matter how many fights I won, I never moved. Systemic sexism didn’t allow me to move.”

“It isn’t like we are a separate organization like the WNBA. We are only provided with token opportunities, fighting on the same cards, often in much more competitive fights than the men, and still aren’t treated fairly,” ulisema Hardy. “We have no place or professional home of our own.”

“This trickles down to aspiring female boxers and the amateur programs,” DiBella continued. “Young women in boxing need to see other women on the big stage. They need to see women that look like them on television and on streaming platforms. They need to know that if they pursue a boxing career, there will be sufficient opportunities to be seen showcasing their talents, for fair wage. If women are able to headline a boxing event, or capable of selling a significant percentage of a live gate, they should not be paid ten to twenty percent of what similarly situated men are paid. We’re not sending the right message here, and there’s no good reason for it in the 21st century.”

The pool of talent available to women in the pro ranks is smaller, but it forces the best matchups. It forces women to fight outside of their weight classes.

“Jessica McCaskill just won unified world titles, and wants to fight me at 147,” said Amanda Serrano, seven-division world champion. “She called me out at 147! It’s kind of sad. Good for us if it makes sense, but the truth is, they’re calling out champs at 126. That is four different weight classes to go up. Men don’t have to do that! Women are constantly forced to compromise ourselves just to get a chance.”

The talent pool won’t increase unless younger generations are inspired by women on television and streaming – women who can fight as well as, and often better than, the men who are on television now. It’s time to stop asking nicely. It’s time for women boxers to demand fairness and stability, and it’s up to network executives, vyombo vya habari, and those who control access to media platforms, to stop living in the past. It’s time for women in boxing to fight for themselves and for the right to earn a living. And it’s now a time for action.


Use the hashtag #WeKeepFighting to follow the movement and to join the conversation on social media.

Tu Knuckle Boxing, Bellator, ndondi, FNU Michezo ya Kupambana Show, mchanganyiko karate, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC, Uingereza Boxing

Maia vs. Usman Recap, New ESPN Deal, Boxing Promotional Battles are topics of discussion on this week’s FNU Combat Sports Show

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This week on the FNU Combat Sports Show, Tom, Tony and Rich discuss a wide variety of topics. We start out with the ESPN/UFC broadcast rights deal for five years, 30 fight cards and $1.5 billion. We also discuss the infighting among boxing promoters lately with both Bob Arum and UK upstart Eddie Hearn scrambling to sign free agents while trying to fill slots for slated shows in the United States over the coming year. We go on to recap last week’s combat sports action, highlighting the Adonis Stevenson vs. Badou Jack majority draw and the Usman vs Maia 5-round snoozefest headlining last Saturday night’s UFC Fight Night card. We of course also preview this weekend’s boxing matches and the UFC and Bellator cards coming out of England. We even touch on the regulation of bareknuckle boxing and Bobby Gunn’s claim of no fatalities recorded in the sport. Hatimaye, we wrap up with a reminder of what this weekend is all about: saluting our servicemen and women. Listen to the whole show at the link below:

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/v8zi5h9j4j7t07e/tonytomandrichmay262018.mp3?dl=0

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EVANDER HOLYFIELD AND BOB ARUM HEADLINE 2018 ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME CLASS

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ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES THEIR CLASS OF 2018
2nd ANNUAL INDUCTION WEEKEND: JUNE 1st – 3rd 2018
ALSO INDUCTED, PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP
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Atlantic City, N.J. – Novemba 27, 2017 – Evander Holyfield and Bob Arum headline the 2018 inductees into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame.
The Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame (ACBHOF) imetangaza wake 25 mwanachama 2018 Induction Class, which also includes President Donald J. Trump. This epic event will take place at The Claridge, a Radisson Hotel located at Park Place & Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey juu Juni 1 – 3, 2018.
Atlantic City, New Jersey Mayor-Elect Frank M. Gilliam Jr. maoni, “The future of boxing in Atlantic City is brighter than ever. Being the newly elected Mayor of the City of Atlantic City, New Jersey it gives me great honor to be a part of bringing the 2nd Annual Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend back to our Great City. I believe boxing and Atlantic City has always been a natural fit and we see it returning to its glory days, and under my administration, we plan on welcoming it back wholeheartedly: Congratulations to the ACBHOF “2018” Inductees!”
The Claridge Hotel serves as the signature Corporate Sponsor for this knockout weekend, “The Claridge is proud to be in partnership with the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame and to continue to promote professional boxing’s exceptional history in Atlantic City,” says Cem Erenler, Vice President/ Operations & Business Development for TMJ Properties, the owner and developer of The Claridge. The iconic hotel, which is now part of the global Radisson brand first opened in 1930. “Hosting this signature event is in the best traditions of The Claridge, which for more than 80 years has been Atlantic City’s center for exciting events in sports and entertainment,” Mr. Erenler said.
The 2018 inductees in the Fighter category are:
Evander Holyfield
Héctor Camacho (posthumous)
Bruce Seldon
Bobby Czyz
Jeff Chandler
Ray Mercer
Vinny Paz
Richie Kates

Trainer and Cutmen
Carmen Graziano

George Benton
Ralph Citro
Non-Washiriki
Bob Arum
Dan Duva
Diane Fischer-Cristiano
Ed Derian
Jean Williams
Joseph Pasquale
Jersey Joe Walcott
Bernard Fernandez
Dave Weinberg
Ray Bailey
Jose Suleiman
Marian Muhammad
Mark Etess
President Donald J. Trump

Evander Holyfield stated: “I have many great memories fighting in Atlantic City, and I am honored to be inducted into its Hall of Fame.”
The 2nd Annual Induction Ceremony & Celebration Weekend will honor some of the world’s most prominent trailblazers from the sport of boxing: President Donald J. Trump, José Sulaimán, and Bob Arum are just a few names who will be enshrined with the 2018 induction class. Also expected to be in attendance; current and former boxing champions, and VIP Guests for a fun-filled weekend that’s highlighted by a black-tie evening, and the acclaimed, unforgettable Induction Ceremony.
“The Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame is here to stay! The epic success of our 2017 Inaugural Induction weekend was pivotal to our brand value in the boxing and business community,” said Rodrick Green Vice President and Business Strategist for ACBHOF. “We are excited about the economic and sports entertainment impact the ACBHOF will continue to have in Atlantic City. Thank you for your support and be reassured that at the 2018 Induction Celebration the bar will be raised even higher.
Over the next several weeks there will be updates on the schedule of events, room packages and expected VIP appearances on the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame and the Claridge Hotel websites and social media platforms.
“We’re excited about the ACBHOF 2018 Induction Class; I believe our nomination committee did an incredible job in selecting a diverse and richly deserving group of individuals. I’m extremely proud of this class because it contains three remarkable women: Diane Fischer-Cristiano, Jean Williams, and Marian Muhammad. The ACBHOF team along with our partners and sponsors are looking forward to June where we will pay homage to our 2018 inductees,” said Ray McCline ACBHOF President and Founder.
ndondi, mchanganyiko karate, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale

Machi 30, 2017 FNU Michezo ya Kupambana Show: King Mo vs. Rampage Preview, Arum says UFC will take half of Conor’s purse against Floyd

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Tom, Rich and Tony break down last week’s big fights and preview the upcoming week’s combat sports cards. The main focus is Bellator 175 in MMA this week. We also discuss some of the latest news, such as a claim made by Bob Arum that the UFC wants to take half of Conor MacGregor’s purse when and if he fights Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a boxing match. We also have a good laugh about Rampage Jackson being mad at King Mo Lawal for “fat shaming” him.. Rampage’s defense is vintage Cartman from South Park: “I’m not fat, I’m just big boned.”

ndondi, Top Rank

MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout on truTV Continues Friday, Mei 8, katika 10 p.m. NA

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Mei 5, 2015

 

The MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout juu truTV series will feature its second consecutive week of live boxing coverage Ijumaa, Mei 8, katika 10 p.m. NA from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The card will feature two title fights, headlined by Top-10 contenders Glen “Jersey Boy” Tapia (23-1, 15 Kos) from Passaic, N.J., na “Irish” Seanie Monaghan (23-0, 15 Kos). Tapia will defend his NABO junior middleweight title against Michel Soro (25-1-1, 15 Kos) from France, with Monaghan defending his WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title against Cleiton Conceicao (20-6-2, 16 Kos) from Brazil.

Wachambuzi ajili ya tukio ni pamoja na Kevin risasi kutoa kucheza-na-kucheza na mchambuzi Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini na mwandishi Crystina Poncher. Kugler is a veteran announcer who has called college basketball and NFL coverage for Westwood One and college football for the Big Ten Network. Mancini is a 2015 International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee and former NABF and WBA lightweight champion. Poncher is a commentator and reporter for Top Rank, ikiwa ni pamoja na jeshi, Mwandishi na mwanahabari wa NFL Mtandao na NFL.com. Zaidi ya hayo, closed captioning in Spanish will be available.

 

kuwasilisha mtandao wa kipengele kuendelea kwa matumizi ya “Spidercam”teknolojia, kwanza ya aina yake kwa ajili ya kuishi ndani ndondi matangazo, providing dynamic coverage during the series. “Spidercam” operates on a four-point system of cables from designated points beyond the corners of the boxing ring. kamera kusimamishwa ina uwezo wa kutoa 360-kiasi nzito pembe ya hatua ikiwa ni pamoja na uwezo wa kusonga katika nyanja tatu - kushoto / kulia, mbele / nyuma na juu / chini.

 

As part of its entitlement sponsorship of the boxing series on truTV,MetroPCS will receive camera-visible center ring and corner pad brand placement for each fight, as well as inclusion in all promotional messaging across truTV and other Turner Broadcasting networks.

 

Visit the Turner Sports online pressroom for additional press materials; follow Turner Sports on Twitter at TurnerSportsPR.

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North Philly’s Own Cheesesteak, Sumo Steaks, is Proud of Philadelphia Boxers, Bryant Jennings and Jesse Hart

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PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, Aprili 24, 2015– North Philly’s Own Cheesesteaks, Sumo Steaks, is proud to announce that their friends, fellow North Philadelphians, and big-hearted local community role models, Bryant Jennings na Jesse Hart, will both soon be making major career defining strides. Bryant Jennings will be fighting for the World Heavyweight Championship and Jesse Hart will be fighting on the undercard of the most anticipated Fight of the Century, Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.
Bryant Jennings enjoying a Sumo (Vegetarian Seitan) Cheesesteak
Hii Jumamosi, Aprili 25, Philadelphia’s own undefeated American boxer, Bryant “By-By” Jennings, (19-0, 10 Kos) takes on Wladimir “Dr. Steel Nyundo” Klitschko (63-3, 54 Kos) from Kiev, Ukraine at the famed Madison Square Garden. Jennings will be joined by the legendary trainer Fred Jenkins and promoter Gary Shaw. “Bryant is very focused with a strong work ethic. We believe he’s going to upset Klitschko and are looking forward to “By-By” bringing the World Heavyweight Championship belts back to Philadelphia.” said Billy Creagh of Sumo Steaks.
Jesse Hart (kushoto); Sumo Steaks owner Billy Creagh and Eugene “Kimbunga” Hart

Sumo Steaks is equally excited for Jesse Hart (16-0,13 Kos) and D&D Management Team (Doc NOWICKI & David Price) who will be fighting Mike Jimenez (17-0,11 Kos) from Chicago IL, on the biggest boxing card in history, Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. They will come together on May 2nd, katika Las Vegas, NV. at the MGM Grand for the USBA Super Middleweight Title. He will be joined by his cornermen, Fred Jenkins Sr, Danny Davis, Corey AKA Hundew MacDonald and Jesse’s father, Eugene “Kimbunga” Hart, along with his promoter Top Rank’s Bob Arum.

Coincidentally In 1971, North Philadelphia’s Joe Frazier beat Muhammad Ali and won the World Heavyweight Championship at Madison Square Garden in which was called “the Fight of the Century.” It was so big the ring announcer said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are not going to introduce the celebrities at ringside usiku wa leo, because everybody is here usiku wa leo.”

Located in North Philadelphia, home to boxing champions, Bernard Hopkins, Danny Garcia and the late Joe Frazier, Sumo Steaks opened in 2013 and was recently voted top Cheesesteak in Philly. They have been fortunate to get to know both Jesse and Bryant and their teams through various charity events and other activities. Sumo Steaks is also a proud sponsor of boxing events in Philadelphia. Kwa habari zaidi, kwenda sumosteaks.com.
ndondi, HBO Boxing, Showtime Boxing, Top Rank

LIVE EVENT AND CLOSED CIRCUIT TICKETS FOR FLOYD MAYWEATHER VS. MANNY PACQUIAO ON SALE THURSDAY, Aprili 23

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Closed Circuit Locations Available at all MGM Resorts International Properties Along The Strip

LAS VEGAS (Aprili 22, 2015) – Tickets for the highly anticipated world championship showdown betweenFloyd “Money” Mayweather na Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao unafanyika Jumamosi, Mei 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena will be available kesho for both in-arena and closed circuit viewing.

 

Tiketi kwa ajili ya tukio kuishi bei saa $7,500, $5,000, $3,500, $2,500 na $1,500, si ikiwa ni pamoja na madai husika huduma, kwenda kuuza Alhamisi, Aprili 23 katika 3 p.m. NA/12 p.m. PT. Tickets are limited to four (4) kila kaya. Kutoza kwa njia ya simu au kwa kadi kuu mikopo, wito Ticketmaster saa (800) 745-3000. Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com au www.ticketmaster.com.

 

The closed circuit telecast will be available at all MGM Resorts International properties in Las Vegas. General admission tickets for closed circuit viewing will be $150, not including handling fees, and will go on saleAlhamisi, Aprili 23 katika 6 p.m. NA/3 p.m. PT. Tickets will be available for purchase at the individual property’s box office outlets, by phone with a major credit card at (866) 799-7711 or through Ticketmaster by calling (800) 745-3000. Closed circuit tickets are limited to eight (8) kila kaya.

 

* * *

 

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is a 12-round welterweight world championship unification bout promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank Inc., and is sponsored by Tecate. The pay-per-view telecast will be co-produced and co-distributed by SHOWTIME PPV® na HBO Pay-Per-View® kuanzia saa 9 p.m. NA/ 6 p.m. PT.

 

Kwa habari zaidi tembelea www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.toprank.com, www.SHO.com/Michezo,www.hbo.com/boxing na www.mgmgrand.com na kufuata juu ya Twitter katikafloydmayweather, MannyPacquiaomayweatherpromo, TRBoxing, SHOSports, HBOboxing NaSwanson_Comm, na kuwa shabiki juu ya Facebook katika www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather, www.facebook.com / TopRankMannyPacquiao www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/TRBoxing, www.facebook.com/SHOsports na www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.
ndondi, Ijumaa usiku Knockout, HBO Boxing, Top Rank, TruTV Boxing

MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout on truTV to Debut Friday, Mei 1, katika 10 p.m. NA

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New Primetime Series to Include First-Ever Use of “Spidercam” for Live Boxing Telecast

Kevin Kugler to Provide Play-by-Play with World Class Welterweight Timothy Bradley & Reporter Crystina Poncher

truTV and Top Rank will partner to exclusively present the MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout on truTV, a live primetime boxing series set to debut Friday, Mei 1, katika 10 p.m. NA. The new boxing series, in association with Turner Sports and HBO Sports, will launch on the eve of the Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao pay-per-view fight with a card featuring two title bouts inside The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

The network’s presentation will feature the first-ever domestic use of “Spidercam” technology for a live boxing telecast, providing dynamic coverage of this new series. “Spidercam” operates on a four-point system of cables from designated points beyond the corners of the boxing ring. kamera kusimamishwa ina uwezo wa kutoa 360-kiasi nzito pembe ya hatua ikiwa ni pamoja na uwezo wa kusonga katika nyanja tatu - kushoto / kulia, mbele / nyuma na juu / chini.

“Spidercam” will provide the definitive views of the action throughout the series, including a main event on Friday, Mei 1, showcasing Takahiro Ao (27-3-1, 16 Kos) from Chiba, Japan, vs. Ray Beltran (29-7-1, 17 Kos) from Los Mochis, Mexico, in a 12-round bout for the vacant WBO Lightweight World Championship. The undercard will include two undefeated fighters in action – Mikael Zewski (26-0, 23 Kos) from Quebec, Canada, vs. Konstantin Ponomarev (27-0, 13 Kos) from Miass, Russia – in a 10-round bout for the NABF Welterweight Championship.

Commentators for the event will include Kevin Kugler providing play-by-play with analyst Timothy Bradley and reporter Crystina Poncher. Kugler is a veteran announcer who has called college basketball and NFL coverage for Westwood One and college football for the Big Ten Network. Bradley is a former WBO welterweight champion and former WBO and two-time WBC junior welterweight champion, including a win over Pacquiao during his career. Poncher is a commentator and reporter for Top Rank, ikiwa ni pamoja na jeshi, Mwandishi na mwanahabari wa NFL Mtandao na NFL.com. Zaidi ya hayo, closed captioning in Spanish will be available.

The second week of the MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout on truTV series – live from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., Ijumaa, Mei 8, katika 10 p.m. – will be headlined by Top-10 contenders Glen “Jersey Boy” Tapia (23-1, 15 Kos) from Passaic, N.J., and “Irish” Seanie Monaghan (23-0, 15 Kos) katika hatua. Tapia will defend his NABO junior middleweight title against Michael Soro (25-1-1, 15 Kos) from France, with Monaghan (defending his WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title) facing Cleiton Conceicao (20-6-2, 16 Kos) from Brazil.

As part of its entitlement sponsorship of the boxing series on truTV, MetroPCS will receive camera-visible center ring and corner pad brand placement for each fight, as well as inclusion in all promotional messaging across truTV and other Turner Broadcasting networks. Sony PlayStation also joins as an associate sponsor of the series, with in-ring signage and inclusion in promotional spots.

Visit the Turner Sports online pressroom for additional press materials; follow Turner Sports on Twitter at TurnerSportsPR.

ndondi, HBO Boxing, Showtime Boxing

Floyd Mayweather MEDIA MKUTANO CALL nakala

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Kelly Swanson

Shukrani, kila mtu, for joining us today. Today on the call we have none other than ‘TBE’ the greatest fighter on the earth, Floyd Mayweather, 11-time World Champion. We also have Leonard Ellerbe, Mkurugenzi Mtendaji, Mayweather Promotions. Leonard, please start with the introductions. Asante.

 

Leonard Ellerbe

Asante, kila mtu, for joining us on the call. We’ll jump right into this without further ado. None other than Floyd Mayweather himself.

 

Floyd Mayweather

Hey, how is everyone doing? I want to thank Leonard. I want to thank Kelly. I want to thank my team. I want to thank all the media from around the world that have been covering this fight. I want to thank everyone, I just want to say that you guys are doing a great job and I appreciate you.

 

Q

That thing on SportsCenter the other night, when you were talking about your place in boxing history and you said you thought you were greater than Muhammad Ali. Can you expand on your reasons why you feel that way?

 

F. Mayweather

I just feel like, like I said before, I take my hat off and then acknowledge all of the past champions. Je,, I think he was a legend. I respect Ali like I respect any other champion. I just feel like I’ve done everything I can do in this sport over my whole life, for 30-something years. I feel like I’ve done just as much in this sport as Ali did.

 

There’s no disrespect to him. I just feel like, when you look at it, Ali was great in one weight class, which is heavyweight. But he stood up for a good cause; he stood up for a hell of a cause in his era.

 

I think that it’s hard for a guy to beat me. I’m still sharp, still very, very sharp at the age of 38. Still going strong at the age of 38. There’s no disrespect to Ali, as I said before. I just feel like I’m the best, no different from how he called himself ‘The Greatest,’ I call myself ‘TBE.’

 

I’m pretty sure that I will get criticized for what I said, but I can care less. I couldn’t care less about the backlash. I believe what I believe like he probably got criticized at one particular time when he said that he was the greatest. He felt like he was better than Sugar Ray Robinson. The list goes on and on. I’m pretty sure there’s going to be another fighter that’s going to come along and say he’s better than Floyd Mayweather and he’s going to get criticized.

 

Q

Do you think that Manny Pacquiao believes anything that Freddie Roach is saying when it comes to the bad guy and all this other stuff? Or do you think he’s just blowing smoke?

 

F. Mayweather

I’m not going to speak negative about Freddie Roach. I don’t have to at all. If I say something about the guy, they’re going to think Floyd is picking on a guy, who is not 100 percent healthy.

 

Kisha, if I comment on some of the stuff he says, he’s making this basically a God and devil type thing. The best way to handle a situation like that, is not to say anything at all, if you don’t have anything positive to say. He don’t have to get in there and fight, so when it comes down to it, it’s up to the two fighters.

 

He’s entitled to say what he wants to say, but the fighter is not speaking like that. I couldn’t care less because it comes down to the two fighters. I wish Freddie Roach nothing but the best; I don’t have anything negative to say about him. I’m truly blessed to be where I’m at and I’m thankful to be where I’m at.

 

Q

The magnitude of this fight, I know you treat it like just another fight, but what about your team? How has your team dealt with the press?

 

F. Mayweather

Nina furaha sana, like I said before. A little bit of everything got me to this point. Everybody played a major key. I try to keep my team grounded. People talk about the money. That plays a major key. My place in history plays a major key. Performing well plays a major key. Everything plays a major, major key.

 

I just try to keep my team grounded and try to keep them focused and just try to teach them every day how to go out there and fish for themselves. That’s the only thing I try to teach my team. I tell them to stay positive, and what I’ve heard was keep a positive environment around myself, which keeps me comfortable and happy.

 

Q

Are you excited at any point of this fight? I know you say you treat this like a job, but are you excited to finally get in the ring and have this fight happen?

 

F. Mayweather

It’s just like I said before. I’m not really going crazy. It’s just a fight to me. I know it’s the biggest fight in boxing history, but I can’t approach it like that because I’m not going to put any unnecessary pressure on myself.

 

He’s a fighter that’s extremely talented, he’s a very good fighter also, and my thing is just to be Floyd Mayweather. People actually don’t know, how is this fight going to be fought? I can’t say. Like I said before, I’m not a psychic. I cannot predict the future. But I will be at my best May 2nd.

Q

Listen, if you believe Bob Arum, this fight might not happen. That there’s issues with tickets, there’s the contract has not been signed, whatever. Do you know anything about that?

 

F. Mayweather

When it comes to the business side, that’s for Leonard Ellerbe. I don’t try to worry about tickets; I try to worry about the guy that’s in front of in me, which is going to be Manny Pacquiao. That’s my whole focus. Tickets are something I don’t really deal with.

 

Q

Have you trained harder for any previous fight than you have for this one, and would that be down to your respect for Manny or the fact that you need to work a bit harder the older you get?

 

F. Mayweather

When you’re trying to perform, when you’re at this level, you always want to perform extremely well. You don’t want to overtrain. You want to train to where you know you’re completely ready. Go out there and be at just 100 asilimia. As far as this training camp, I’ve trained extremely hard. I believe that we’ll just see how everything plays out.

 

Q

I’m hearing reports, Floyd, that you’re looking stronger and fitter than ever.

 

F. Mayweather

Naam, some people say that, you might not believe that depending on who is telling you. Hopefully. Hopefully I am. We’ll just have to see. That’s why I’m at this level, at the pinnacle of my career, because I’ve been pushing myself for so long and working so hard.

 

Q

Can I just ask you about Amir Khan? Is he still in your plans?

F. Mayweather

My focus right now is the guy that’s in front of me. My last fight is in September. I never want to overlook anyone. I believe you take it one fighter at a time. As of right now, Manny Pacquaio is the guy that’s in front of me, and that’s my focus.

 

Q

My question is regarding, Manny Pacquiao has said he thinks it’s Floyd’s time to lose. He’s almost implying that it’s maybe, God is on his side. I was wondering how you think, if God actually does care who wins prizefights?

 

F. Mayweather

I actually believe God loves us all. The people that are on this call, every writer, every fighter, every athlete that goes out there and competes. God loves us all. Kwa mara nyingine tena, Mimi nina fighter. What I do, I’m a professional prizefighter. I believe in God and I love God. I don’t think God takes sides.

 

Q

Lot of stuff gets reported in the fourth or the sixth weeks leading up to this. We don’t always get a chance to ask you yourself, so I want to give you the opportunity. Is there anything that was reported that you want to clear up that you want to actually say no, that isn’t true, you guys got it wrong?

 

F. Mayweather

Je Si, nothing at all. Because once my career is over, that’s when I’m going to read everything, hata hivyo, all the articles that people have written. When I come home, I leave boxing at the boxing gym. When I go to the gym or when I go to train, I work. I dedicate myself to my craft.

 

When I come home and I’m not on the computer, I’m not looking at myself. I’m not buying magazine covers with me on the cover. I’m not on the computer looking up articles. I could care less about all that. My job is to go out there and perform and be at my best, and be the best that I can be in the sport of boxing.

 

Q

My question for you is, in your opinion, what would a victory against Pacquiao do for your legacy? And then how much would it enhance your legacy.

 

F. Mayweather

It’s just another fight. I just look at the situation. He’s another guy that I faced. You’re just going to say in history, that these two faced each other at one particular time. It was hard to make the fight happen, eventually they made the fight happen, and we faced each other.

 

Q

Do you believe, ingawa, that a victory would in some way enhance your legacy?

 

F. Mayweather

I’m not sure, because I’m not the one that’s putting myself in the history books.

 

Q

Do you think it’s true that the winner of the fight will be declared, in essence, by the public, as the king of this era?

 

F. Mayweather

I can’t really say. I don’t really know. Just look at Ali’s career. When he fought, he looked like the best when he fought. I think he lost seven fights. When I got older I noticed that he lost seven fights and lost some other fight that he lost. He still was known as the greatest. Because that’s what he put out there. Hivyo, that’s what it is.

 

Q

The wonderment on a lot of people’s minds is when the career is over, will you have enough money for the rest of your life? Do you ever worry about losing at all?

 

F. Mayweather

Nina heri. I made some good investments to where if I wanted to retire today, I could.

 

Q

That means there’s no fear of bankruptcy whatsoever in terms of the gambling and the other involvements that you’ve spent?

 

F. Mayweather

I made some good investments, and if I wanted to retire today, I could.

 

Q

My question is, you said at the press conference that you though that Pacquiao was surprised at how much bigger you were than him. Can you talk a little bit about that, and then also some of the strategic aspects of being the bigger fighter in the ring on Mei 2?

 

F. Mayweather

Normally when I face an opponent, they normally outweighed me by 17 kwa 20 pounds on fight nights. This has been going on for a good while now. You can read a guy’s body language. When Pacquiao first saw me in Miami, he didn’t expect to see me over there at the basketball game. He looked shocked, kama, ‘Damn, he is taller than me. He’s bigger than what I thought he was.’ Just being in the sport for so long, you’re able to read body language; you’re able to read a fighter’s eyes.

 

Q

Do you feel that some of the trash talking is Freddie Roach being nervous about the fight and trying to get a psychological edge on you?

 

F. Mayweather

I’m not fighting Freddie Roach, so I’m not worried about that at all. Freddie Roach, he’s Pacquiao’s trainer and he’s going to do what he has to do for his fighter to win. If that’s trying to get an edge, then that’s what he should do.

 

Q

All of your other fights, you’ve always been a very vocal, always been a vocal fighter. Why the silence this time?

 

F. Mayweather

This is exactly what I’ve said. Even in my interviews, I’ve said we had to bring a game plan. Even from day one when I was with Bob Arum, I said I wanted to work extremely hard to get to a certain point in my career, which is to get to a point to be the first fighter to ever make nine figures in one night.

 

It took a game plan to me going out there on my own. It’s just me speaking out with a very, very loud voice. Having a lot of personality. But as you get older, you mature. After trash talking for 17, 18 miaka, and constantly saying, look what I’ve done. Niangalie. Niangalie. You know what I’m saying? I’m the best. Niangalie. And everybody they’ve put in front of me I’ve beaten.

 

I’m at a point where you just say, you know what? Ni ni nini. I know what I can do. I know what I bring to the table. God has truly blessed me to be in this situation. I have a good team. My children are healthy, so I don’t have to do all that.

 

It’s more like I did all that loud talking and everything to get to a certain point. I’ve still got a lot of personality, I did what I had to do to get to a certain point in my career, na kwamba ni nini mimi. It was a brilliant game plan.

 

Q

From your personal point of view, how has this fight and this promotion been different from the many other big events that you’ve been a part of?

 

F. Mayweather

It’s actually been kind of the same. It’s just a little bit over the top, but I just try to stay relaxed. That’s my main thing. It’s a very, very huge event. I can remember every day.

 

Sometimes I think about when Mike Tyson got out of prison and he was boxing, and when he was fighting at the MGM Grand. I would go to the MGM Grand, because I wasn’t a professional at that particular time. Just starting. I would go to the MGM Grand and some people would know me so I would take pictures and just sign a few autographs. I was like, moja, MGM Grand would never be this packed again. That’s what I thought. Nilikuwa tu 19 years old at that particular time. That was in ’96. I kept believing though. I always believed that I could do record-breaking numbers. I just needed the right team with me and it took a little bit of everything. The right fights, the right team, and we made it happen.

 

Q

Beyond all the trash talk and salesmanship, you’ve always been a guy that, wakati inakuja chini yake, is very respectful of his opponents. I think it’s part of your secret. Is there anything that you admire about Manny Pacquiao, either the fighter or the person?

 

F. Mayweather

Naam, he’s got to this point by doing something right. It’s obvious he’s done something right to get to this point. I have to respect that.

 

Q

The Filipino fans are expecting or hoping for a very aggressive Manny in the ring. Is this something that you’re training for, or are you just going in the ring to fight your fight, make the adjustments along the way as you have so successfully throughout your career?

 

F. Mayweather

If you’re basically asking what’s my game plan, my game plan is to win. That’s actually what my game plan has always been is to win.

 

Q

A lot of the animosity from the Filipino fans towards you is not directed to you as a great boxer, but more as someone who can put an end towards a Filipino hero’s career. Do you honestly believe that you would put an end to a Filipino hero’s career?

 

F. Mayweather

Naam, my thing is this. I’ve heard that we’re all God’s children, whether you’re American, Filipino, African, Dominican, Asian, we’re all God’s children. People are going to root for who they want to root for and simple and plain I’m pretty sure I’ve got Filipino fans that like me, and I’m pretty sure that you’ve got some black American fans that like Pacquiao.

 

I never try to focus on anything like that. My focus is to give the people what they really want to see. Just facing the facts. That’s what I’ve done throughout my career. He’s one of the last guys, he’s one of the last good fighters of this era. It’s a fight that has to happen, and I’m glad that the fight is happening.

 

Q

How much strength and effort and support from family does it take to get you where you are right now?

 

F. Mayweather

Naam, the support came a lot. I had a hell of a supporting cast to get to this point, before I became a professional. There’s this guy that I never talk about to anyone. I never say anything about him to anyone. And he’s doing extremely badly right now, not financially but health-wise. I believe he’s lost his memory, which hurts extremely bad. A guy by the name of Frank Brown, I’ve known him since I was the age of three.

 

He has supported me more than anyone. He has always said that, “Floyd, one day you will be the best fighter in the world.” He’s always taking me to church, taking me through different activities. He was like a grandfather to me. Frank Brown. When I used to fight, he would drive anywhere. It could be in Little Rock, Arkansas. He would drive from Grand Rapids, Michigan to come support me. He would sit in the room with me and say prayers with me.

 

He’s a guy that I would never forget, because he was there from the age of three until after I fought De La Hoya, because he’s up there in age now. He eventually lost his memory, so he’s at a home. He’s at an old folks’ nyumbani. It really hurts, but I love that guy so much. I think about him all the time.

 

K. Swanson

Okay, that’s our last question. Asante, kila mtu, for joining us. Floyd, any final comments?

 

F. Mayweather

I just want to tell everybody, thank you for all the stories, and all the articles you guys wrote. Asante sana. My team appreciates you all, as well as myself. Asante.

 

* * *

 

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is a 12-round welterweight world championship unification bout promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank Inc., and is sponsored by Tecate con caracter, Paramount Pictures and Skydance Productions -Terminator Genisys, in theaters July 1st, Paramount Pictures & Skydance Productions present MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION, in theaters & IMAX July 31st, The Weinstein Company and the new movie Southpaw, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, in theaters everywhere Julai 24 na Mexico, Kuishi kwa Amini. The pay-per-view telecast will be co-produced and co-distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® na Showtime PPV® kuanzia saa 9:00 p.m. NA/6:00 p.m. PT.