17 September 2009
On Saturday September 19th, the boxing world’s number-one pound for pound fighter, the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr of the United States comes out of a 21 month retirement to fight Mexico’s Juan Manuel Márquez in Las Vegas.
Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather is one of the most outspoken and flamboyant boxers in the sport. He recently lashed out at the American media for what he sees as unfair treatment in the press.
“If you’re rich, you’re a rich nigga. If you’re poor, you’re a poor nigga. If you’re smart, you’re a smart nigga. At the end of the day, they still look at me as a nigga.”
He goes on to say, “I wouldn’t change my life for nothing in the world. There’s nothing like being young, black and rich. But there are certain things you think about. If Floyd Mayweather was white, I’d be the biggest athlete in America. The biggest, the biggest. I know that for a fact.”
Without a doubt, Mayweather has not lost the chip on his shoulder that has helped him become one of the greatest fighters of all time and one of boxing’s biggest personalities.
Across the ring from him will be Márquez, who is a decidedly more humble, yet just as confident fighter. Márquez is best known for his two controversial fights against the current world champion Manny Pacquiao.
Their first battle in 2004 was a draw, where despite being knocked down three times in the first round, Márquez showed unprecedented resolve in fighting his way back into the match, and in the eyes of many, even winning.
On March 15, 2008, the rematch, entitled ‘Unfinished Business’ was on. This fight ended even more controversially than the first bout with Pacquiao winning in a split decision. Once again, there were many in the boxing community who felt Márquez had decidedly won the fight. Márquez says the losses no longer bother him, though they no doubt inspire him. “I’m at peace with both fights because I won and he knows it,” Márquez says of Pacquiao.
Márquez has the opportunity to show the world on Saturday that he deserves to be spoken of as one of the best and perhaps get a chance to battle Pacquiao for a third time.
As part of the buildup to Mayweather vs Márquez, HBO continues their incredible 24/7 series. The concept behind 24/7 is a four-part prelude to the fight that follows both men as they train and prepare for the fight. The cameras are given total access to the fighters and you see sides of them you would never know about otherwise.
HBO premiered the series in 2007 with De La Hoya-Mayweather 24/7, before Mayweather defeated De La Hoya in a split decision, and they have brought it back for several matches since.
24/7 is insightful and on occasion more entertaining than the actual fight it leads up to. Even for people who are not interested in boxing, the series is worth watching just for the human element and the way they tell the stories of the two men featured.
Mayweather-Marquez 24/7 Episode 1
