CLEVELAND, Ohio — Longtime Cleveland referee Doug Patterson noticed something special about a slick featherweight named Floyd Mayweather during the 1996 National Golden Gloves Tournament at the Public Auditorium.
“He was so damn fast,” Patterson said. “I was the referee in his semifinal bout. He won that and the championship in his next fight. I could see he was something special.”
That Golden Gloves title led to a spot on the Olympic Team and eventually a bronze medal in a controversial loss in the semifinals.
Mayweather (47-0) has not lost since, but his record will face a major threat on Saturday at the MGM Palace in Las Vegas when he will face Manny Pacquiao (57-5-2) for Mayweather’s WBC welterweight and WBA super welterweight titles. Pacquiao’s WBO welterweight crown is also on the line.
What Patterson saw in the ring in ’96 is what he has seen from Mayweather as a pro.
“I noticed back then how well he used angles and good defense,” Patterson said. “Hit and not get hit. If Ali would’ve kept fighting that way he would’ve had a better career.”
Mayweather’s defense has certainly added years to his career but that same defense is often criticized because it often means Mayweather is avoiding punches and not getting into an exchange his opponent.
Some fans have called Mayweather’s style boring.
“If Mayweather fights using his defense instead of listening to the crowd to prove a point he’ll be OK,” Patterson said. “They call it boring but look how much money he’s making fighting that way and winning. It’s called boxing, if you want to see a fight, watch MMA.”
