“Well, let’s get one thing right while we on “24/7.” “24/7” is the show that I invented. A black man from the ghetto invented “24/7.” Believe that. Just like that. Ya dig.” – Floyd Mayweather Jr.
On Saturday night, one of my favorite television shows, HBO’s award-winning, four week reality series “24/7” returns to the airwaves. The program has mostly focused on hyping approaching HBO-backed boxing matches, but most recently it chronicled NASCAR superstar Jimmie Johnson as he prepared for the Daytona 500. I’m a huge fan of everything HBO does and 24/7 is no exception; as with seemingly everything that comes from the network the production and writing is just impeccable. Maybe this is hyperbole, but I think it’s a visual and artistic achievement. At its best, I find the show almost touching.
In the newest chapter, Mr. 24/7 Himself, Floyd Mayweather Jr., returns to the forefront as cameras follow the lead-up to his May 1 superfight with Shane Mosley, who will be making his debut as a featured star on the program. But first, let’s take a little look back, as we recap each boxing installment of the hit series, with accompanying vids of some of my favorite moments.
De la Hoya-Mayweather
In the first installment we witness the build-up to the May 2007 superfight between the Golden Boy and the Pretty Boy, the so-called “fight to save boxing.” In a star-making turn, Floyd establishes himself as boxing’s biggest villain with his foul mouth, braggadocio, and incessant taunting of decent family man and gentleman Oscar. The public is also introduced to Floyd’s inimitable uncle/trainer Roger and father, Floyd Sr., and made privy to the dysfunction that symbolized the Mayweather family at the time. In the clip above Floyd’s friend, rapper 50 Cent, makes a memorable guest appearance. The fight goes on to break all pay-per-view records for a boxing match, accumulating 2.4 million buys.
Mayweather-Hatton
The second go-round finds Floyd and then undefeated junior-welterweight superstar, Ricky Hatton, preparing for their December 2007 welterweight championship fight. Once again, the Mayweather side of the equation carries the show. Floyd is as brash, unfriendly, and unforgiving again, mocking Hatton and antagonizing the Hitman’s British faithful on the press tour. Ricky is Floyd’s polar opposite, humble and low maintenance. We also have Uncle Roger delivering his classic line of “Why does Bill Gates still sell them muthaf—–? computers?”
Jones-Calzaghe – I’ll admit: I didn’t watch this one. I don’t know what else to say. Definitely the most obscure of the 24/7’s.
De la Hoya-Pacquiao
This time the cameras document the lead-up to a December 2008 welterweight fight that was viewed as a farce. There is a strong storyline in Oscar’s beefs with Freddie Roach and Pacquiao, and the likable Roach wins his first “24/7” MVP, carrying the Pacquiao side of the show in what has since become tradition. I’ll admit, this wasn’t the most memorable “24/7” in my book, and all of them suffer to a certain extent when lacking the presence of a Mayweather. Thing is, to me at least, the overall quality that HBO is able to produce is just so excellent that it’s always worth watching, no matter what. I find them just as big a part of the equation as the subjects.
Hatton-Pacquiao
Hatton’s trainer for the May 2009 junior welterweight championship bout, Floyd Mayweather Sr., does his best to sell the fight. Highly entertaining, colorful, and boastful, he taunts and defames Roach, dismisses Pacquiao, toots his own horn, recites his trademark and unique brand of “poetry,” shows bemusement towards the hi-jinks of his good-natured British pupil, shows off his impressive artwork, cooks for Ricky and Ricky’s crew and literally flexes his muscles. Roach is genuinely chagrined by Mayweather’s antics. The wounds of his long-time feud with his brother, Roger, show they have healed when Rog shows up to the gym to have one of his fighter spar with Hatton.
Mayweather-Marquez
A more friendly Floyd returns following a near two year retirement to take on Juan Manuel Marquez in a welterweight match seen as any only slightly more legitimate than de la Hoya-Pacquiao. Of course, the most memorable moment from this installment was Marquez famously drinking his own urine as part of his training regimen. Floyd mocks him for this, but other than that he is very complimentary of his opponent for a change. Some have argued that it was a sign of maturity on Floyd’s part, or an attempt to change his image (Floyd was shown taking time out to hand out goods to the homeless and talk to the youth). Perhaps, but what I really think it was was Mayweather attempting to pimp the great Marquez in an effort to make the fight seem more legit than most perceived it to be, and thus boost what were expected to be relatively poor pay-per-view numbers. (Instead, the fight wound up doing a shocking and amazing 1 million buys.)
A key theme is family, with Marquez shown to be extremely devout in that regard, and the three-headed Mayweather monster shown to be strong in their reconciliation.
Cotto-Pacquiao
The last installment, for the November 2009 welterweight event, saw Roach take the wheel. With two non-native speakers serving as the featured fighters, the charismatic and engaging trainer carries the show. This one had some tense moments, particularly in episode one. Pacquiao was training in Baguio City, Phillipines, which at the time was being ravaged by tsunamis, and Roach had to pull Manny’s teeth (even threatening to quit) before the superstar fighter finally evacuated. We are given insight into the family life of Cotto, who is shown to be a self-admittedly flawed but honorable and good man. Cotto’s lovably obese best friend, Brian Perez, serves as his valuable sidekick in a memorable supporting performance.
For Mayweather-Mosley I fully expect for Floyd to be back up to his old tricks. He has mocked and antagonized Mosley on the press tour and I expect him to be in peak form. And we know what to expect from his peeps.
On the Mosley side I am very eager to see Shane’s charismatic trainer, Brother Nazim Richardson, make his “24/7” debut. He vows not to involve himself in any trash talking, but he is still a man to be heard.
Let it commence. The fight is less than one month away.
P.S. I don’t know if I’d be able to handle a Pacquiao-Mayweather “24/7.” Like the fight itself, I feel like it would almost be too much for me. Just the thought of all those personalities on the same show, with the history and the stakes and everything that goes all with it…it would really be something.
