“You don’t stand a chance if you go down in Chinatown”, famously said Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy many years ago.
He wasn’t likely referring to the Las Vegas neighborhood of the same name.
(Photos courtesy of Ester Linn, Showtime)
If that were indeed the case, then oceans of the press and well wishers would not have descended upon Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s gym this afternoon for his media day workout.
Some say the pound-for-pound king has mellowed in terms of his boisterous and “far from inside” voice which has in years past and present exclaimed to all who would not only listen but those within earshot of his undisputed greatness.
He’s in possession of perhaps one hundred million or more to his credit. Upon his arrival at the Mayweather Boxing Club today, he exited his Mercedes mini SUV with a stack o’ Bens in his clutches. Still, this writer feels a bit bad for the guy. Maybe not bad, as most of us who report daily to a proper job often find ourselves in a perpetual state of repetition as we answer the same questions….over and over again.
All throughout his undefeated forty four fight career, Floyd has managed to take care of matters in the ring. Forty four have tried, although the truth to the claim is actually forty three. We can’t forget his two fights with Jose Luis Castillo.
The media openly swarmed the undefeated champion like the 3am opening of Wal Mart on Black Friday.
Floyd was there to put on a show for those in attendance and answer some queries. Some of them even included his perspective of his upcoming fight with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez which of course takes place in just a bit over a fortnight’s time. Floyd retreated to his locker room for some takeout food and then he took a haircut from his personal stylist before he took to the ring.
Selected quotes listed below.
Floyd’s Thoughts on Canelo Alvarez (42(30)-0-1): “Canelo is a solid competitor. I can’t overlook him. I’ve got to push myself for the next two and a half weeks. He’s banking on his youth and I’m banking on my experience.
He added, “Just look at his resume and then look at mine and just see what you come up with. His career was full of “C” and “D” fighters. He didn’t knock out (Austin) Trout and he took Ricky Hatton’s brother (Matthew) the distance. A lot of his fights have gone the distance. I use certain angles and I have a lot of experience in these big fights. Age doesn’t play a factor.”
“Is he a pushover? No, I don’t think so.”
On Canelo’s Weight Gain before fights: “I believe in skills and not in the weight. Skills pay the bills. The weight doesn’t fight for you and putting on weight after the weigh-in can actually make you sluggish. Many of my opponents were heavier than me, but I was always five or six steps ahead mentally. You have to be ten steps ahead of your opponent. Guys get hit by me and then they go into survival mode.”
“I believe in skills and not in the weight. Skills pay the bills.”
Mayweather on who is Mexico’s biggest fighter: “Juan Manuel Marquez has accomplished more and he’s done more for the sport. I can’t say Canelo has the biggest following because I think it has to be Marquez.”
“I can’t wait to test my skills against this young guy.”
“Money” on The Big Fight: “He wants the attention and he wants that payday. He wants that “Mayweather” money. He’s like the others I’ve faced. They look at me on the outside and think “it can’t be that difficult”. Nothing bothers me about any opponent. I’ll go out and give it my best. “
The “Money” Man added, “I can’t wait to test my skills against this young guy. Our game plan is to be smart, train hard and win. Every fighter has a weakness. He had a draw in his career. I’ll take my time and just be me. He’s a guy who likes to box and depend on his youth.”
“Everyone had a game plan (including Oscar).”
On Oscar De La Hoya’s prediction of an 8th round Alvarez KO victory: “The last time I checked, everyone had a game plan. He (De La Hoya) said he’d knock me out and of course, you saw what happened.”
“I’m the face of boxing.”
Floyd on Floyd: “I’m the face of boxing and I’m glad that I’ve been able to transcend the sport. I think I’ve done a lot for boxing and it’s done a lot for me.”
On The Co-Main Event (Danny Garcia vs. Lucas Matthysse): “They’re both tough and they are both power punchers. It will be a great fight. I can’t see that fight going the distance. They’ve dedicated themselves to the sport and I’m proud of them.”
