Floyd Mayweather’s eminent fall as boxing’s top pay-per-view (PPV) seller over the past few years could start when he returns to the ring next year as he takes his penultimate ring appearance under his $200 million six-fight contract with CBS/Showtime.
This scenario surfaced when the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) summoned Mayweather to explain the scenes in the “All Access” reality show that Mayweather used to promote his last fight against Marcos Maidana. Some scenes in the promotional video reportedly depicts the use of marijuana by some people around him while he was in his place with some friends. In the second episode of the “All Access” video, several women in the company of Mayweather were seen smoking what was reported as marijuana. Click here to view video. Mayweather denied it when NSAC officers asked him to explain what was clearly seen on video as women smoking what seems to be marijuana. ?It wasn?t real marijuana,? Mayweather told AP.. ?It?s all about entertainment?. I don?t want to just sell a fight. I want to sell a lifestyle.? he added. In the same video, Sharif Rahman, one of the sons of former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman, took a heavy beating from British amateur Donovan Cameron while Mayweather was watching and cheering. The bout was intended as sparring session. In the fight, Sharif was beaten badly prompting Hasim, Jr. to challenge the smaller Briton under the “dog house rule” to a duel which lasted for 31 minutes that left the Briton badly beaten because of his sheer size and power. All the time, Mayweather was seen on video cheering. “The dog house ? the rules are you fight till whoever quits,” Mayweather explained. “We do take breaks when we spar. I make sure,” Mayweather said. “I’m not going to let anyone get hurt because safety is very important to boxing.”
Mayweather vs Maidana in May of 2014 The Boxing Blog Like this image During the NSAC hearing, Mayweather explained that the reported marijuana session was nothing but a prop for the reality show to attract young audience to the event. He later said that the scenes were heavily edited without pointing who was responsible for the controversial scenes. Showtime did not react to Mayweather’s assertions. NSAC Commissioners did not find anything wrong with the video after Mayweather explained that many of the scenes were faked and intended only as props for the reality show, saying they’re “happy with Mayweather appearing before them, and satisfied with his explanations.” Mayweather may have been ill-advised for having admitted that the scenes in the reality show were faked although he has no choice under the circumstances. By doing so, he has placed CBS/Showtime’s credibility on the line. As a credible media outlet, CBS/Showtime would not want to be criticized for airing shows that promotes use of illegal drugs, gambling and other forms of unlawful activities. While Mayweather may have pleased the NSAC commissioners with his explanation, he may have lost fans and supporters for not being honest with his claims in his “All Access” series. How the public will react to this controversy will be known only when he starts selling his next fight to his supporters.
