MANILA, Philippines – Floyd Mayweather Sr. faced the big question: What if his son loses to Manny Pacquiao?
It?s a question he has tried to avoid in the past.
But this time, before jaded scribe David Mayo of MLive.com, the flamboyant boxing trainer had the answer.
It took him a while to react to the question.
?What would happen?? he told Mayo, who has covered the reigning and undefeated pound-for-pound champion throughout his career.
Floyd Sr. said he doesn?t know. Of course, he doesn?t know because his son hasn?t tasted defeat in his 19 years as a pro. Sportshub ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
Floyd Mayweather Jr., now 38, locks horns with the hard-hitting Filipino southpaw, who?s 36, on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
It?s the richest and most anticipated fight in boxing history. It?s also a fight that Mayweather can lose ? either way.
Somehow, losing is in the back of the father?s mind.
He said that if it happens, then life goes on.
?I would continue to be myself. I would continue to be myself…and I would still deal with my friends and things like that,? he told Mayo.
?I?m gonna be honest with you, that would be a big…I have to say it would shock the (expletive) out of me. It would shock the hell out of me. But you?ve still got to live on, man,? Floyd Sr. added.
Mayweather, who?s 47-0, is the favorite in this fight that should break all existing records in boxing ? revenue wise.
The pride of Grand Rapids stands to earn as much as $180 million, and Pacquiao around $120 million.
Pacquiao has tasted defeat five times in a long and illustrious career, with world titles in eight different weight classes.
The Filipino congressman said he?s not afraid to lose another one as long as he gives his best.
Mayweather, unlike his father, is not thinking of losing ? not when he?s into the last two fights of a highly-lucrative deal with Showtime.
Mayweather can?t afford to lose ? not this late in his career.
During last month?s Grammy-like press conference announcing the fight, Mayweather faced the same question.
?What if you lose to Pacquiao?? he was asked.
Just as he turned away, Mayweather provided the answer.
?Floyd Mayweather is always a winner,? he said.
