Manny Pacquiao isn?t given to trash-talking. He rarely says a bad word about anyone and is particularly careful when talking about other boxers. Thus, it was significant when Pacquiao said recently, ?[Floyd] Mayweather thinks he?s better than anybody else. In the ring, it?s good for a fighter to think that way, to have confidence. But Mayweather thinks that way about other people outside of boxing. I don?t like that.?
A lot of people don?t like it, and their numbers are growing.
To many in the sweet science, loyalty is a four-letter word: c-a-s-h. Based on that principle, Mayweather has become what Keith Idec calls ?boxing?s most spoiled child, a smug multimillionaire accustomed to getting his way with the help of an army of enablers.?
These enablers, Kevin Iole writes, ?have whored themselves out and ignored Mayweather?s increasingly irrational behavior because of his ability to generate money. They?ve turned their heads to his often bizarre and distasteful behavior because he could increase the bottom line in their checking accounts. For far too long, he has been allowed to run unchecked. The result is a man who has become out of touch with reality, who has lived a fairy tale to stroke his own ego.?
Mayweather has chosen to make his life very public, so it?s fair for the media to comment on that life. He?s an exceptionally talented fighter. Even his most severe critics acknowledge that. And he has promoted himself very skillfully to maximize his earning potential. What he has not done is conduct himself as a responsible adult. His repeated abuse of women, his racist comments, and his constant demeaning of ring opponents stand testament to that. Last month, there were ominous signs that he is imploding and that his world might come crashing down.
Mayweather?s latest troubles began on September 2nd, when he was seen worldwide on a UStream.com video. The kick-off press tour for Pacquiao-Margarito was underway. Floyd might have been jealous of the attention that Manny was getting. Regardless of his motive, he spewed venom.
During the video, Mayweather called Pacquiao a ?little yellow chump,? a ?whore,? and a ?faggot.? He also said, ?Once I stomp the midget, I?ll make that motherfucker make me a sushi roll and cook me some rice.? For good measure, he added, ?Motherfucker Pacquiao, he can?t speak no English.?
Some things are too disgusting even for boxing.
Jeff MacGregor suggested on ESPN.com that the video should be preceded by the legend, ?WARNING! Fantastically immature mature content, bad language, poor grammar, brainless not-safe-for-work-or-play racism, miserable homophobia, smug condescension, and irredeemable self-regard.?
Jerry Izenberg wrote, ?Now Mayweather has become as offensive as he is boring. You can add dumb to that. None of this is very complicated. He said what he said. He is what he is.?
Others condemned Floyd?s remarks as hateful and grotesque. The general consensus was that a village somewhere was missing an idiot.
A new parlor game arose: ?Floyd Mayweather Jr?s comments were so dumb that . . .?
?Floyd Mayweather Jr?s comments were so dumb that Floyd Sr is complaining that his son is disgracing the family name.?
?Floyd Mayweather Jr?s comments were so dumb that his initials stand for FuckerMother.?
?Floyd Mayweather Jr?s comments were so dumb that James Toney condemned him for trash-talking.?
?Floyd Mayweather Jr?s comments were so dumb that the WBC is turning down the sanctioning fee for his next fight.?
?Floyd Mayweather Jr?s comments were so dumb that John Rocker issued a statement demanding that Floyd apologize.?
?Floyd Mayweather Jr?s comments were so dumb that Danny Milano couldn?t stop the bleeding.?
?Floyd Mayweather Jr?s comments were so dumb that Michael Buffer lost his cool when he heard them.?
?Floyd Mayweather Jr?s comments were so dumb that Reebok is paying him to wear Nike.?
?Floyd Mayweather Jr?s comments were so dumb that Bernard Hopkins was speechless.?
?Floyd Mayweather Jr?s comments were so dumb that Roger is now known as the intelligent Mayweather.?
?He?s not the sharpest tool in the shed,? Dan Rafael wrote. ?He?s also too dumb to realize that he?s not even promoting an actual fight, since he won?t sign for it. I wonder if his mother is proud of him? How about his young children? They?ll be able to watch that video someday because it will be on the Internet forever.?
On September 5th, Mayweather spoke out again on U
