Floyd Mayweather, Seven-Time and Five-Division World Champion
Photo by Gene Blevins/Hogan Photos
Floyd Mayweather, Seven-Time and Five-Division World Champion
“I can’t overlook a guy like Miguel Cotto.
“I’m always looking to give the fans what they want to see.
“Uncle Roger said this is the hardest he’s ever seen me train. This is the hardest he’s ever seen me work for a fight.
“It’s been a roller coaster ride throughout my whole career, but I’m blessed to be where I am and I want to continue to go out there and dominate.
“The hard work has been done. During fight week, we will focus on shadow boxing, mental work and light training.
“The fans should watch this [fight] because in my eyes Miguel Cotto is an undefeated fighter. He fought one guy at a catch weight and another guy who got in trouble for cheating. He’s strong a knockout puncher and he always comes out and fights in a pleasing way.
“I’m always happy to go out there and put on a pleasing performance for the fans, the media and the people that have been supporting me for years.
“Rafael [Garcia] is the godfather of boxing. He has done a great job. He is a hand and eye specialist and a guy I wouldn’t trade in for anything in the world.
“I have been in boxing for 16 years and I haven’t stretched at all. I don’t stretch when I run. I’ve never stretched.
“Last time I checked, all 42 [of my opponents] have been dangerous, but they all ended up in the same place.
“I think I can look into a guy’s eyes and I can see the body language. I know when he’s a beaten fighter.
“The nick name ‘Money’ came from when I was joking and throwing money into the camera, so it stuck with me. You can’t be a 35-year-old man calling yourself ‘Pretty Boy.’
“The key to me winning is being in control like always, keeping my composure like always and never going out of character.
“I don’t think I have changed, maybe I don’t move as much. I’m going much more toe-to-toe these days.
“I haven’t taken any abuse in the sport of boxing. I think I’m done before 38.”
Roger Mayweather, Floyd Mayweather’s Trainer and Uncle
“All fighters are dangerous. Anybody who can punch is dangerous.
“Floyd fights for his own legacy.
“Fighters don’t have to fight that much these days to determine how good they are.
“I don’t have to tell you who the best fighter is out there. We already know who the best fighter is out there.”
Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions
“This is a fight that everywhere you go, people are talking about.
“Cotto is a very dangerous opponent and anybody who’s thinking otherwise is foolish.
“Miguel is a tremendous fighter who has had a tremendous amount of success. He’s fought every fighter in this era.
“Floyd is one of the most despised athletes in the world, but he’s also the most talented athlete in the entire world. What other athlete do you know who has dominated his sport for 16 years?
“Over the last 12 months, Floyd Mayweather has earned more money than any athlete in the entire world.”
Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions
“This fight has two A-side fighters fighting each other. This is not like one guy having to carry the fight, but two A-side guys who can make the promotion as big as it is.
“I am being asked ‘how many pay-per-views will this fight do?’ That is always a crystal ball question. What I will say, and I will even take bets on this, is that this fight is going to be the biggest pay-per-view since De La Hoya and Mayweather. Now, is it going to break the record that De La Hoya and Mayweather set? I am not going to predict that but, I do think it will be the biggest pay-per-view since then, absolutely.
“With Floyd Mayweather, you have the king, the pay-per-view king and the number one attraction in the sport. Whenever Floyd Mayweather is involved, it is always considered a Super Bowl for boxing.
“With Miguel Cotto, you have an amazing fighter with a large fan base not only from Puerto Rico but Puerto Ricans everywhere and fight fans too. He has a very crowd pleasing style and is coming off such a big performance and win over Margarito. He is a star himself and can carry his own pay-per-view. When you add one and one together and it doesn’t equal two, three or four. What it equals is millions of pay-per-views and millions of fans for this May 5 card.
“Then you have Canelo fighting the most dangerous fight of his career against Sugar Shane Mosley. Mosley is going to bring his A game too as I know when Shane hears people saying he is not the fighter he used to be, he proves even more that he still has the will to win. He is going to teach the young Canelo a lesson and we will see what happens on May 5.
“There is so much support for this fight. Our sponsors, Corona, Hatfields & McCoys on HISTORY™ AT&T, DeWalt Tools, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Puebla-Cinco De Mayo, COSTCO stores and movie theaters NCM Fathom, have so many levels of activation happening it is going to be hard for people not to know Mayweather vs. Cotto is happening on May 5.
“Clearly another huge night for boxing. “Ring Kings: Mayweather vs. Cotto” on May 5 is as good as it gets.”
Jessie Vargas, Undefeated Welterweight Rising Star
“[On Gomez pulling out of the fight] I don’t know anyone who has been in this position as much as me.
“I’ve been around the sport for a while. I have a massive amateur background and I’m not scared of anyone.
“There are different types of fighters – those that try to beat you physically and those that try to beat you mentally. Whoever they put in front of me can try, but it isn’t going to happen.
“Robert [Alcazar] has been teaching me a lot and I’m looking forward to learning more.
“Robert is a great trainer and he’s teaching me a style that I want to learn and build on.
“I’m a very confident fighter and whoever they have in front of me, I’ll be ready.
“After people see me on pay-per-view, I think they’ll begin to recognize me and get to know who I am.”
DeAndre Latimore, Super Welterweight Contender
“It’s been great working with Jeff [Mayweather]. I actually have someone who’s bringing out the best in me.
“I know May 5 is going to be a tough fight, but people can expect to see fireworks.
“Now that I’m with a promotional company that cares about me, my family and what’s best for my career, the hard work and dedication is paying off.
“When I was working with Floyd, it wasn’t easy at all. It was tough, but it was the best thing that could happen to me. He took me under his wing and now I’m going to take care of him by getting that victory on May 5.
“On May,, I expected to have my hand raised when it’s all said and done.”