By Robert Elmore: Albums usually don’t drop on Sundays, but this is a special occasion. The executive produced 45 and Counting by Floyd Mayweather Jr. showcased his writing and production skills. The album has already sold a record setting 2 million copies worldwide on the first day and produced two singles “The Hype is Over” and “Why Weight” have gone double platinum.
“The Hype is Over” talks about how the media and all the Floyd haters have built yet another fighter in attempt to dethrone him. Like fights before this one, this was supposed to be Floyd’s toughest challenge. But once again, he made easy work of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. “Why Weight” makes all his detractors question themselves about his fight being at a catch weight and educates them at the same time.
Loyal Manny Pacquiao fans claimed that the 2 pounds that Miguel Cotto lost for their bout had had absolutely no bearing on the fight. Yet, it was Pacquiao’s footwork, punches from all angles, and combos that got the job done.
Their claim is supported by the fact that Cotto was 146 pounds in his fight with Joshua Clottey which is feasible to believe that one pound wouldn’t make a difference. In 2011, Canelo tipped the scale at 151 against Matthew Hatton and he was 153 pounds against Austin Trout. So by this logic, one pound didn’t make a difference. Regardless of who asked for the weight both fighters agreed to it.
Now haters will say, that was two years ago that Canelo made that weight. But they are quick to argue that Sergio Martinez can make 154 without struggling if the fight between he and Floyd were to take place. Sergio hasn’t fought at 154 in three years. And besides, Canelo signed the contract and said he was okay making 152 pounds.
Indeed, Canelo was inexperienced before the fight, but it’s safe to say this will be the crutch that will be leaned on. I won’t lean on it nor will I endorse any excuse from the Canelo faithful. He took the fight for money reasons and also believed that he had the skill to beat Mayweather. He got exposed and that’s it. The album opens with the song “Reaching for Straws”. The song hits the haters’ right between the eyes.
Since there are no major kinks in Floyd’s armor, critics have resulted to single moments that Floyd has dealt with during his career. They often refer to the few rounds of success that Zab Judah had before he was dominated; the two right hands he took against Shane Mosley in the 2nd round of their bout, but went on to dominate the rest of the fight; and the bloody nose he suffered against Miguel Cotto. And when all else fails, attack his personal life.
Floyd retaliated on his critics on “No Blue Print to Beat Me”. He lets his detractors know that no one but himself can defeat him. He also told them that he never fights the same, adapts, and then takes over a fight. It was more directed at the media who, in 2002, released How to Beat Mayweather: The Jose Luis Castillo Chronicles Vol 1. This was the album that haters bought three or copies of. A couple were probably were appraised then locked in the safe while the others were used for hearing pleasures. This is the album that makes people feel good about themselves.
They put it on every year before a Floyd event in hopes that maybe one day the value will go up due a blemish on Floyd’s record. Yes, Castillo gave Floyd trouble, but the liner notes left much out the one of the most important details about the fight. Floyd was fighting with one arm that night. The albums value dropped when Floyd defeated Castillo in the rematch via unanimous decision thus causing the media to shelve Volume 2 of the Castillo Chronicles. But haters don’t care. In their eyes, Floyd lost. Even Canelo picked up a copy.
The album includes other hits such as the Floyd Sr. produced “The Defense Returns”, the Roger produced “Ya’ll Don’t Know Nothing About Boxing” (edited version lol), the Floyd Jr. produced “Keep Searching” (They Wanna See Me Lose); in which he tells the media and haters to keep searching and building up fighters to beat him. The search has had to take place in the 154 and 160 pound weight class because there seems to be no competition in Floyd’s division (147); “I’m Boring, but You Still Paying”, and my favorite “Not Your Average Boxer”.
Canelo stated before the fight that he was not Victor Ortiz, Robert Guerrero, or hall of famer Miguel Cotto. Floyd quickly let the youngster know that he wasn’t Josesito Lopez, Matthew Hatton, or Carlos Baldomir all who came up from 147 pounds to 154 to fight Canelo. And the added bonus track “I Offered Him 40 Million”. Floyd has already begun to work on the next album titled 46 and 0. Reserve your copy today.
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