Black Eye of the Week

Boxing Friends,

Floyd “Money” Mayweather is rumored to be making a come-back against an opponent to be named. Nothing necessarily wrong with that. The black eye, however, is that he plans to make his announcement on the day of the Pacquiao-Hatton fight – and in Las Vegas where the fight and Mayweather’s residence is. Obviously, for Mayweather the more press the better, and where would there be more press than the Pacquiao-Hatton event?

But trying to steal some of the thunder from Pacquiao-Hatton to announce his comeback shows Mayweather’s inability to understand what boxing fans have always wanted to see. Mayweather, unlike Hatton and Pacquiao, is only beginning to realize that making money is not enough to bring about fans’ respect and one’s own place in history. Talented boxers will always make money. Great boxers, however, earn peoples’ respect and admiration with their accomplishments, personalities, and sportsmanship—not their wallets. So while “Money” Mayweather makes his flashy announcement, Pacquiao and Hatton will be preparing to put their titles, reputations, and lives at stake in a masters’ display of speed, power, talent, and willpower. That is what boxing is about. That is what boxing needs. So make your announcement Mayweather and then get out of the way.