Kelly Swanson
Thanks, everybody, for calling in. It’s such a pleasure to be joined today by Floyd Mayweather, the 11-time, five-division world champion, to talk about his upcoming fight “MAYHEM: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2”. Also joining us is Leonard Ellerbe, Chief Executive Officer of Mayweather Promotions.
Before I introduce Leonard I just wanted to make one program note. The fight week schedule will be distributed later this week, so everybody please take a look for that in your e-mail. That will give you a breakdown of everything happening during fight week starting Tuesday with the Grand Arrivals. I am going to now turn it over to Leonard Ellerbe to make the introductions.
Leonard Ellerbe
Thank you, Kelly. We’d like to thank everyone for joining us on the call this afternoon. We’re nine days out we’re really looking forward to September 13th, it’s going to be a barn burner, Mayweather versus Maidana. Floyd will be defending his WBC and WBA Welterweight titles, along with his WBC Super Welterweight World Championship in an unprecedented move.
Our undercard will feature, in the co-main event, Leo Santa Cruz versus Manual Roman in a 12-round WBC Super Bantamweight Championship fight; the PPV will also feature Mickey Bey, who will be fighting Miguel Vazquez for Vazquez’s IBF Lightweight World Championship; and opening the PPV we have Alfredo Angulo versus James De La Rosa in a 10-round middleweight bout. Also in a special on the countdown show we have John Molina Jr., who will be facing Humberto Soto, which will be a truly exciting fight for the fans.
This event will be promoted by Mayweather Promotions, along with Golden Boy Promotions. Our sponsors are Corona, O’Reilly Auto Parts, The Equalizer, and the Mexican Tourism Board.
Also, just to inform everyone, we have a new start time, which is very important, to start the pay-per-view broadcast. The start time will be 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET.
So, without further ado, I’d like to turn it over to none other than 11-time world champion in five different weight classes, Floyd “Money” Mayweather.
Floyd Mayweather
Thank you, Leonard. Well, first I want to say hello to everyone. I want to say thank you for the support. I want to thank everybody that’s been on social networks. I want to thank everybody for the articles and the stories; I want to thank everybody that’s covered this fight. I appreciate it. And we’re not too far away from September 13th, and I’m in top shape, I’m pretty sure Maidana’s in tiptop shape, and we’re ready to give you guys the excitement.
Q
Do you think that 50 Cent crossed the line by suggesting that you have trouble reading in that Instagram video that he posted?
F. Mayweather
My thing is this, I try to focus on Maidana. I don’t really focus on that. I think people can believe whatever they want to believe. Intelligence and education are two different things. I’m happy with my career and I wish 50 Cent nothing but the best; when I’m in training camp I try to focus on my training. You have to realize that the circus is for clowns and my job is just to focus on my job, which is boxing. I know what I can and I can’t do, so I can care less.
Q
Were you surprised that 50 Cent went in that direction and talked about a topic that would be that sensitive?
F. Mayweather
I don’t even worry about that. Like I said before, that’s not my focus. I know what I can and I can’t do. You guys don’t know when you’re dealing with pay-per-view you have to read at least 60 to 70 teleprompters, and I don’t think they could choose a better person for the job than myself. I go out there and I do it with no problem.
I just feel like basically I’m not judged by a person, I’m judged by God. Reading does not define my place in boxing history. Will God not let me in heaven because I didn’t read like a news anchor? Me, myself, I would be perfect at reading if it was how I made my living and fed my family. Once again, intelligence and education are two different things.
Making fun of a person because they can’t read is not funny. It’s tragic. Second, if I really couldn’t read it would make my accomplishments even that much more amazing. I don’t know if 50 Cent is a boxing promoter, I don’t know if he’s making music; I really don’t know. My focus is on Floyd Mayweather, and I wish 50 Cent nothing but the best.
Q
Floyd, do you want to just comment on the footage that the radio station played of you reading the drops?
F. Mayweather
Well, I don’t get paid to read radio drops. I’m capable of having a bad day; I’m not perfect. But you know, as well as I know, they edited the tape how they wanted to do it. I’m a perfectionist; if I go read a teleprompter, I read it six or seven or eight times, because I’m a perfectionist. I could have been up twenty-four hours; I could have just landed in New York City. People find different ways to try to break people down and tear people down.
I’m going strong and I’m happy. We talk about that situation, but there’s plenty of videos out there just showing me reading teleprompters and reading other things. When I was at the ESPY’s I had to read a teleprompter. I’m pretty sure you guys thought I did an okay job. Like I said before, I’m not a news anchor, never claimed to be. What I do for a living, I’m a boxer, but I didn’t get to where I got to not being able to write, read and do arithmetic, and I’m going to say this once again, intelligence and education are two totally different things.
Q
How do you go about dealing with camp distractions and is there something that you want to get rid of as you keep going forward, because it seems like in every camp something that has nothing to do with boxing comes up?
F. Mayweather
Well, like I said before, that’s small to me. I’m truly blessed to be where I’m at. I try not to focus on that type of stuff. My job is to focus on my children, make sure my children and my family are in the best position, and stay focused upon my craft, which is boxing. Nothing can steer me the wrong way; I don’t focus on everything, it’s why I don’t focus on clown stuff. Like I said before, that’s for the circus. My job is to stay focused on boxing. I got to where I got to by being smart, making smart moves, and doing what’s best for Floyd Mayweather.
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