In an interview with the specialized website fighthype.com, Mayweather expressed that “I really believe that racism still exists in boxing.” His statement came in a critique of Andre Ward’s position on Ring Magazine’s best pound-for-pound list.
“One cannot argue with the one who is number one (Román ‘Chocolatito’ González). But I can’t believe Andre Ward is number four on the pound-for-pound list. Without having lost a fight, he has to be number two. You don’t win fights in a good way, but in a great way. And still four have it, ”Mayweather said, as reported by Fight Hype’s Ben Thompson.
On the list, González (44-0, 38 KO) is number one, followed by Sergey Kovalev (28-0-1, 25 KO) and Gennady Golovkin (34-0-0, 31 KO).
Mayweather even said he has noticed a difference in the way the media treated Bernard Hopkins, and the attitude toward Golovkin now.
“When Bernard Hopkins was a middleweight trying to fight Oscar de la Hoya, Shane Mosley and Tito Trinidad, they (the media) said he was after smaller fighters. When Triple G (Gennady Golovkin) does it, they don’t say shit… ”Mayweather stated.
As if that were not enough, the undefeated fighter assured that the alleged racism has also been seen in the UFC, and alluded to the former monarch Ronda Rousey. Mayweather compared Rousey to retired boxer Laila Ali – daughter of the legendary Muhammed Ali – who finished her career undefeated, 24-0, with 21 knockouts.
“Laila Ali went undefeated and was also dominant. After Ronda fought nine, ten, 11 fights, she received all kinds of sponsorships, movies, everything. Laila Ali did the same, but better, ”Mayweather said. “Laila Ali is a beautiful woman and she can kick butt, but you never heard them (the media) say, after her ten or 11 fights, that she was the most dominant woman on the planet.”
Mayweather retired from boxing last year with an immaculate 49-0 record with 26 knockouts. (Courtesy of Elnuevodia.com).
Floyd Mayweather Jr. denounces racism in boxing
