adminLAS VEGAS. — The American people, as with their presidents, often get the boxing champions they deserve. Whether it be Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight champion of the world, socking it to his white oppressors in the early 1900s; or Rocky Marciano, a reassuring slab of normality on the post-World War II landscape; or Muhammad Ali, a beacon of black pride in the deeply divided 1960s.
So what have the American people, circa 2013, done to deserve Floyd Mayweather, the impossible knot of contradictions that is American boxing’s lone — and last, some pessimists might argue — global superstar?
Many others would argue that the days when the American people were defined, to any extent, by their boxing champions ended long ago.
The fact that Johnson, Marciano and Ali were heavyweights and Mayweather is one of the sport’s little men seems symbolic in itself of how far boxing has receded in the collective consciousness of the American sports fan.
But how to explain the mind-boggling Mayweather numbers — the £127,4m, six-fight deal signed with American network Showtime in February; the world record £26,4m purse for his fight against Mexico’s Saul Alvarez in Las Vegas tomorrow morning (5am Zimbabwean time); the record-breaking £12,2m live gate at the MGM Grand?
And how to explain “Money” Mayweather’s position at the top of Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes for 2012; and the guaranteed £49,9m in purses for only two fights in 2013, an amount that will probably see him take top spot again?
“Floyd is boxing,” Mayweather’s business partner Leonard Ellerbe said. “He’s the biggest star in the sport by a mile — the numbers don’t lie.”
What is astonishing is that Mayweather is able to generate such numbers operating within the confines of a supposedly fringe sport like boxing.
Behind him in Forbes’ 2012 list are golf’s Tiger Woods, the NBA’s LeBron James, the NFL’s Peyton Manning and football’s King Midas, David Beckham. What makes it all the more astonishing is the fact many fight fans think defensive master Mayweather — despite being a five-weight world champion and unbeaten in 44 pro fights — is a bit boring. At least between the ropes.
The American sportswriter Pat Putnam concluded: “Most fight fans would not spend a dime to watch Van Gogh paint Sunflowers, but they would fill Yankee Stadium to see him cut his ear off.”
Those who booed Mayweather during his one-sided defeat of Robert Guerrero in May would presumably agree with Putnam’s sentiment. Oscar de la Hoya, meanwhile, sees both sides. Fighters like Julio Cesar Chavez, Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran gave fight fans excitement,” said the six-weight world champion, whose fight against Mayweather in 2007 holds the record for most pay-per-view buys — 2.44m.
“You got blood, knockdowns and knockouts. So I can understand fans being frustrated when watching a Floyd Mayweather fight, because of the lack of action. It should be about taking risks and giving fans what they’re looking for.
“Then again, that’s the genius of Floyd Mayweather: he’s been able to figure out a way of not getting hit and winning fights in easy fashion. Boxing is an art form and Floyd has mastered it.” Floyd Mayweather Jr v Saul Alvarez
Venue: MGM Grand, Las Vegas, USA
Date: Sunday September 15
Ring walk: 5am (Zimbabwean time) approximately
Floyd Mayweather factfile
Born: 24 February 1977, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Amateur record: 84 wins, six defeats. Three-weight Golden Gloves champion. Bronze medal at 1996 Olympics
Turned pro: 11 October 1996
Pro record: 44 wins (26 KOs), 0 defeats. Five-weight world champion
Worth: Highest-paid athlete in world in 2012, earning US$85 million (all from boxing). Set to earn US$90 million in 2013, including US$41,5 million from fight against Alvarez — BBC Sport.
Online Reporter