By: Sean Crose
During a career spanning more than 25 years, Floyd Mayweather has a reputation for being cold under fire. Rarely rolling around in the ring, Mayweather has proven in the few moments he’s truly challenged that he can handle the pressure. Watch his ’09 battle with Shane Mosely if more proof is needed. Veteran star Mosely nailed Mayweather very early on, making everyone seem like Mayweather could, maybe met his match. It didn’t happen. By the next round, Mayweather was settled mumblingly back in control and remained that way for the rest of the one-sided fight.
However, Mayweather finally cracked this past weekend. Not within. Not in one of life’s more difficult situations. No, it took the International Boxing Hall of Fame to get Mayweather to tighten his grip. During Sunday’s official ceremony, new boxer Mayweather got really emotional before talking about the moment and the impact boxing has had on him. As far as this writer knows, Mayweather has never let his guard down in this fashion, both literally and figuratively.
“I’ve accomplished a lot in my career,” Mayweather said, “but this is the best by far.” That’s a pretty fitting statement for a man who has literally changed the fighting game. In addition to retiring in 2017 with a record of 50 wins and no losses, Mayweather throughout his career has won titles in multiple weight classes, reigned as the best boxer in the world and not only become biggest pay-per-view person on the planet. , but also the highest paid athlete in the world. His 2015 fight with Manny Pacquiao remains the highest-grossing fight in the history of combat sports.
“I want to thank the International Boxing Hall of Fame for giving me this,” he continued. “This right will go to my father because he deserves it. Bernard Hopkins says it best – ‘You have to earn it.’ – and my dad got this ring. Mayweather also praised his mother and siblings for his success.
During his long career, Mayweather has been known to take pride in his huge earnings and lavish lifestyle. In fact, Mayweather’s name for the second half of his career was a single word: “Money”. On Sunday, however, Mayweather let the world know his love of boxing has surpassed paydays. “It doesn’t matter how much they paid me,” he said. “I will do it for free. I love the sport of boxing. ”
“I said I wouldn’t cry,” Mayweather said. “It’s unbelievable. This is one of the best days of my life.”
