Dad says Mayweather’s legacy will only shine upon retirement
LAS VEGAS — Floyd Mayweather, Jr. gave due credit to his father for his victory against Filipino ring superstar Manny Pacquiao in their 12-round 'Battle for Greatness' that came up short of expectations last Saturday night at the MGM Grand Gardena Arena.
"I have to take it off to my dad, without him I wouldn't be where I'm at," said the world's highest-paid athlete who will pocket a staggering $200 million when all is said and done from the richest fight in boxing history.
Mayweather's masterclass of Pacquiao further galvanized his place in the pantheon of all-time greats, but Floyd Sr. feels that his son's legacy will only be appreciated once he hangs up his gloves for good.
"I just know my son should be treated better. Maybe the truth is that he's too good for his own good," Floyd Sr told the Evening Times. "Sometimes you're so good, but people don't appreciate it until it's all over and done. And then they'll appreciate it, but it will be gone."
""I'm not saying not being appreciated bothers him, but if I was in his shoes it would bother me. He's paying the price for being so honest about his life and I don't know why.All he can do is beat the people of his era. If he stopped right now, he's not got anything to prove. He's done it all," added Floyd Sr.
Looking back at the fight night, Mayweather got booed all night all by what appears to be a pro-Pacquiao crowd, some Americans and Mexicans who were displeased by his highly defensive game plan.
And Floyd Sr. took a swipe at them.
"The people who were booing him at the fight were just a bunch of asses. People don't know boxing, that's the problem," said Floyd Sr.
Though uninterested of a rematch, Floyd Sr. insists that there is no way Pacquiao can beat the undisputed pound-for-pound king of boxing.
"Pacquiao would never beat him, believe me, because of one thing he doesn't have this (pointing to his head)," Floyd Sr. said. "It might be tough to sell a rematch. I've seen my son be better like this. In the corner I wanted him to go further, but he stayed at the same level. In the last couple of rounds he got better."