“Social media’s changed everything,” Leonard Ellerbe told Boxing Insider. “I love it.” The CEO of Mayweather Promotions claimed that social media “gives fighters a platform.” Still, Ellerbe admitted “It’s a blessing and sometimes it’s a curse…so long,” he added, “as it’s used in the right way. as a promotional tool.” In his position at Mayweather Promotions, Ellerbe has had to watch over the career of problematic junior lightweight Gervonta Davis, who will be facing Jesus Cuellar on April 21st for the WBA world super featherweight title. “Hes got a lot to prove,” Ellerbe said the Baltimore native. “This is his second opportunity at a world title.”
Davis has been spending time with another fighter Ellerbe is quite familiar with, the one and only Adrien Broner, who has his own fight with Jessie Vargas on the same April 21st card. “I think we’ll see a different Adrian Broner in this fight,” said Ellerbe. “I think he’s just really focused on his trainer, which is a great thing…he knows and understands what Jessie brings to the table.” Ellerbe is well aware of the fact that Vargas knows what it means to fight on a big stage, having faced both Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley. “Jessie’s a no nonsense guy,” Ellerbe said. “He’s used to the bright lights. I think it’s business as usual for him.”
Ellerbe was asked about the Canelo Alvarez scandal, particularly if he felt something was amiss when Canelo faced Floyd Mayweather in 2013. “No,” he said, “I’ve never had any indication or concerns about his (Canelo’s) preparations.” Yet Ellerbe admitted that Canelo’s failed drug tests were a very serious matter. “It’s…not good,” he said. “Not good or all. Any time your name is mentioned with PEDs it’s not good.” And what about the still scheduled May 5th bout between Canelo and middleweight titlist Gennady Golovkin?
“The fight’s definitely in jeopardy,” Ellerbe claimed. “The Nevada Commission is the best commission in all of boxing. They follow the rules. They make good sound decisions led by Bob Bennettt. He’s a very fair guy. They’ll make the right decision.” Ellerbe’s personal opinion on the matter? “If he (Canelo) ingested knowingly, then he should be suspended for a very long time. If he didn’t, he should be cleared.” According to Ellerbe, performance enhancing drug use is something that’s definitely on his radar.
“The PEDs are an issue in the sport,” he said. “There’s fighters out there that are cheating that haven’t been caught yet. You see it in their performances. You see it with guys…before, they were big punchers and knocking guys out, then they haven’t had a knockout in years.”
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