Many boxing pundits would argue that it is an impossible task to further inflate the ego of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. At the dismay of many “Pretty Boy Haters” I would like to give it a try. The most powerful META TAG for boxing in the internet world is—you guessed it—MAYWEATHER. Did I succeed? In the words of Kanye West, another egomaniacal genius, “I got a big ego, hahaha, I’m such a big ego, hahaha, I got a big, hahaha, ego, she love my big, hahaha, ego…” Yes, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. has a big ego. Colossal!
Boxing fans, in many ways, are similar to NASCAR fans—true fanatics who support their favorites. The difference is that we admit we watch boxing to see another man lying peacefully on the canvas, while many NASCAR fans will not admit they watch auto racing for the crashes. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. has “crashed” himself into the cast as the principal antagonist, in the “theatre” of Modern Prize Fighting. Networks, Promoters, Media, Advertisers, Governing Bodies, Attorneys, and last but not least Fighters, are cast in this production we call boxing. We can berate him for not being the “throwback” we would like him to be, by not fighting every single fighter in his division, or we can celebrate what our grandchildren will not see live-- Mayweather “The Antagonist”. A post Y2K bad boy, who has all but mastered every skill set in boxing minus an above average knockout percentage (62.5%). In an attempt to be objective, I separate my media-influenced perception of the man from what he accomplishes in that 20 x 20 arena. In my opinion, antagonists are necessary to the success of any "story", and those perceived malevolent components "fuel the fire." Cowboys have Indians, David has Goliath, and Reagan had the War on Drugs!
One of the latest sizzling episodes of “egomania” came by way of what may stand to be a timeless interview of “Money May” by R.A. The Rugged Man. Mr. Rugged successfully aggravated the Pound-for-Pound Champion, by needling all of the right “hot buttons”, and goading Mayweather to shift into egomania-mode. Larry Merchant and Brian Kenny provided the blueprint. The interview, while genius and entertaining, was not shocking if you understand the psycho-sociological make up of many prizefighters. Pugilists make their living through the effective use of aggression, whereby aggression is not only acceptable, it’s the rule. Most boxers are socialized in neighborhoods where diplomacy is viewed as “weak”, whereas force is the most powerful tool utilized to gain a “rep”. We see this socio-behavioral pattern manifest itself physically in the ring, and often times verbally in press conferences, interviews, etc. Ironically, these same outbursts that we criticize as fans provide entertaining build up that eventually translates into millions in PPV dollars. Mr. Rugged’s interview may serve as a unique catalyst to increase the desire for Mayweather to fight “all-comers”. I too would love to see a “Sugar Ray Robinson-esque” Floyd Mayweather, if only for my own selfish reasons-- Blood. But boxing has changed, and the onus of our bereavement does not fall onto one fighter alone-- even if his name is Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Fighters emphasize who they are and what they do by donning themselves with nicknames like “The Brown Bomber”, “The Rock from Brockton”, “Marvelous”, “Sugar”, “Manos de Piedra”, and yes “Money May”. Boxing is the business that Floyd Jr. knows best, as the seeds of success were planted, figuratively and literally, by Mayweather,Sr. It seems as though genetics and skills have meshed harmoniously, while the perceived discord with so many boxing fans, is in the personality of the fighter. So what is “The Antagonist” missing to solidify his place amongst the greats of pugilism? It’s simple, a protagonist. Marquez, while arguably still in the top 5 Pound-for-pound, proved to be no more than a “tune-up” bout for the unbelievably gifted fighter from the “D”. Oscar DeLahoya was formerly cast in that role, but the aging Golden Boy could not deliver physically, what the marketing campaigns and PPV buys did financially. Perhaps on November 14th a "qualified" protagonist will emerge for Team Mayweather. A humble and soft spoken, politically correct champion, in his prime—the anti-ego. Or not.
-------------------- Troy J. Hines
Founder/ Host/ Sports Writer
H.A.N.D.S. Boxing Show
www.handsboxingshow.com
Edited by Troy J Hines (11/08/09 12:00 PM)
Post Extras:
Joe Roche
pays half price for hookers
Reged: 03/11/08
Posts: 305
Loc: Outside Boston, MA
Troy -- I think you bring up some valid points, and your argument is obviously well thought out. Here's a quick - not well thought out response to a couple of the points.
1) I'm not one of those people who believe that Mayweather's "attitude" is a street behavior. I realize that there is the street mentality of puffing out your chest, telling everyone that you're King Kong, and taking every comment as a slight on your manhood. But I believe Mayweather's attitude is much more fueled by his showman persona. Mayweather grew up in boxing, in the business of boxing and thus I don't think his personality was formed as much by the streets as it was by the desire to sell tickets, to be a name, to get ratings -- to essentially be a corporation. Mayweather is the perfect next evolution of Michael Jordan, which is to say that he branded himself, got the money, got the worldwide recognition and doesn't carry around the excess baggage of being hyper-competitive to the point of personal destruction (a trait that Jordan undeniably still has).
2) I believe that you hit the nail square on the head with your assessment that Mayweather's career lacks an appropriate protagonist. Much of this is the fault of Mayweather who hasn't been in the ring with the right people over the last six years, but some of it is the fault of professional boxing in this day and age. The fact is that with TV contracts, exclusive deals, PPV, and endorsements there has been no incentive for any of the top fighters to get into wars with the top competition. There is also the problem that many fighters have adopted the Mayweather business model so there aren't many of them who come off as personable, or even likable. I enjoy Shane Mosley but it's tough to paint him as the Batman to Mayweather's Joker because there are a lot of people who don't like Mosley's act. There is no question that Mayweather is the greatest heel in boxing right now - but to properly build a mega show we need a good guy. De La Hoya was always style over substance (ok not always - but later in his career/by the time he fought Floyd) but there is a good chance that Pacquiao could be that guy. If Pacquiao gets past Cotto he is the perfect blend of charisma, charm, and personality to be the ying to Mayweather's yang and I would predict that a Mayweather/Pacquiao PPV would blow the numbers that Floyd did with Oscar out of the water (top 2.5 million you say -- ya damn right).
-------------------- The Way I See It
411mania.com/boxing
XBL Gamertag: jdroche
"I'm always relieved when someone is delivering a eulogy and I realize I'm listening to it" -- I wish that was still the case, R.I.P. George Carlin we've lost another giant.
Post Extras:
Egomaniac
President Obama...lookin out for my wallet like no other.
Reged: 07/10/05
Posts: 14176
LOL... I see you go by the name of EGOMANIA... In no way, shape or form, is this article directed at you... It is a play off of the word "EGO" & the fact that Floyd Mayweather, Jr.'s real "Twitter Name" is MAYWEATHERMANIA... Respect.
-------------------- Troy J. Hines
Founder/ Host/ Sports Writer
H.A.N.D.S. Boxing Show
www.handsboxingshow.com
Post Extras:
Egomaniac
President Obama...lookin out for my wallet like no other.
Reged: 07/10/05
Posts: 14176
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
