Mayweather the Gentlemen: The Fighter

By Boxing News - 05/07/2012 - Comments

Image: Mayweather the Gentlemen: The FighterBy Robert “Big Moe” Elmore: I’ve followed Floyd Mayweather Jr’s career and it wasn’t until his fight against Oscar De La Hoya that he took on the bad boy image. While I’m able to distinguish between Floyd the entertainer, and Floyd the person outside the ring, others may not.

Throughout boxing history, we’ve enjoyed the good guy versus the bad guy; Hagler-Hearns; Ali-Frazier just to name a couple. The Mayweather-Cotto 24/7 didn’t have its usual pop because Cotto’s personality is quite and laid back. Floyd did his thing. But what came as a shock to some, what Floyd did Saturday night, apologizing to HBO commentator Larry Merchant after their September 17th 2011 argument, then giving him an interview; then returning from the dressing room to give an unexpected interview with Jim Lampley and Emmanuel Steward, was no surprise to me.

I have watched several interviews and have saw what he does when he’s not boxing. He gives back to the community, he takes time out to participate in events, donates money and time to charity. On one 24/7, he loaded up his truck and drove down the Vegas strip and handed out backs of goodies to the homeless. These things are over shadowed by Floyd the entertainer. He showed much respect to Cotto through out the promotion and had nothing but fond words to his opponent afterward. Much respect to Floyd for being a big man and apologizing. Most will see that as a sign of weakness, but not so. It takes much man to do what Floyd. I can’t say why he did, but he did. And only God knows the real reason

The Fighter

Floyd stepped out his comfort zone this past Saturday and gave the fans what they wanted to see. He used both offense and defense to put on probably the best performance of his career against a gamed Miguel Cotto. Cotto bought out the best in Mayweather. Floyd dug deep, he was patient, he adjusted his game plan, bloody nose and all, and pulled out a monumental victory. He adjusted his punches and looped his right hand around the gloves of Cotto rather than shoot it straight down the pike. Later on, he found the left uppercut to be useful. Floyd was bruised at the end of the fight but this wasn’t the first time I’ve seen him like this. He took some punishment against De Marcus “Chop Chop” Corley and Emmanuel Augustus. But this is what happens when a man opens up, he’s bound to get hit. Comes with the territory. And above all, Floyd did it without a catch weight. The unofficial weights were not given for Cotto and Floyd but I guarantee Cotto was the heavier man. But much respect to both men for putting on a great show. The Puerto Rican is still has some great fights in him. Hopefully, he can use Miguel Cotto Promotions and do big business. Peace.



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