Floyd Mayweather Jr invokes race in conversations about retirement ahead of exhibition fight
Legendary boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. is undefeated in his skilled profession, successful 50 fights and 15 world titles.
At 46, he nonetheless takes half in exhibition matches, along with his newest fight in opposition to the grandson of American crime boss John Gotti set to happen subsequent month.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. speaks throughout a information convention saying an exhibition boxing bout in opposition to blended martial artist Mikuru Asakura at The M Resort in Henderson, Nevada, on June 13, 2022. (Getty Images)
Mayweather spoke with Fox News Digital on Thursday about the June 11 fight with John Gotti III, which is able to happen on the FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida.
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“When you’re getting ready for an exhibition, it’s totally different,” Mayweather defined of his coaching. “Because when everything is on the line for a fight, it’s about feeding your family. It’s about being victorious. It’s about history.”
“As far as when you’re doing an exhibition, it’s about entertaining the people,” he continued. “Of course, even in a regular fight, it’s about entertaining, but it’s a little different. When I’m training for an exhibition, it just keeps me in shape, keep me working out, my cardio.”
Mayweather’s final skilled victory got here in August 2017 in opposition to MMA legend Conor McGregor, a fight he gained in the tenth spherical by way of TKO. Since then, he’s competed in a number of exhibitions, most not too long ago in opposition to former Bellator MMA fighter Aaron Chalmers in February.
Mayweather, left, and Aaron Chalmers sq. off throughout their exhibition fight at The O2 in London on Feb. 25, 2023. (Zac Goodwin/PA Images by way of Getty Images)
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Mayweather was additionally requested about why he continues to fight in exhibition matches whereas in retirement.
He stated he does it to maintain in form, amongst different causes, but additionally referred to as out those that he says gained’t pose the identical query to “White Americans.”
“They want to question when Blacks continue to go out and have fun,” he stated. “If I was taking harsh punishment, or I was taking a beating, or I could barely walk and talk, then I can see me not going out there to entertain.”
Mayweather says he participates in exhibition matches primarily to remain in form and keep “ambitious.” (Zac Goodwin/PA Images by way of Getty Images)
He continued: “But we don’t ever question when Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, the Waltons — when White Americans, Caucasians, go out there and make money and make billions, we don’t ask why they don’t retire.
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“So I’m retired. I’m simply preserving my physique in form, having enjoyable, doing what I wish to do.”
Mayweather went on to say that his endeavors outside the boxing ring still keep him busy, but he participates in exhibition matches mainly to stay in shape and stay “formidable.”
“I do what I wish to do as a result of I would like, not as a result of I’ve to,” he asserted.
Gotti is an MMA fighter and pro boxer. He is 2-0 in his boxing career and 5-1 in mixed martial arts.
Fontainebleau Miami Beach is hosting “Fight Week,” which begins June 8 with a pre-fight press convention with Mayweather and Gotti. The official weigh-in will happen June 10.