On Biggest Stage, Mayweather Plays the Fool

'Pretty Boy' Pushes Negative Image as 'Golden Boy' Glows

By JASON WHITLOCK
AOL
Sports Commentary

No matter what happens in the ring -- and Floyd Mayweather is going to destroy Oscar De La Hoya -- the “Golden Boy” and Mexican-Americans have already won the fight of the new millennium.

HBO’s “De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7,” a brilliant four-part documentary hyping Saturday’s bout, was called after three rounds, before the airing of tonight’s finale, in De La Hoya’s favor.

Yep, this will be a classic case of Mayweather and his mostly black fan base winning the battle and losing the war to De La Hoya and his mostly Latino fan base.

“De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7” is a prime example of a high-profile black athlete using a large platform to define himself as an idiot. Meanwhile, De La Hoya used the same platform to define himself as the All-American family man and businessman.

I just don’t get it. I have no idea why Mayweather would choose to portray himself the way he has in this miniseries. The man and his handlers can’t be that stupid. And he doesn’t need to play the role of wild buffoon to sell this fight. Tickets for the bout sold out in three hours. Pay-per-view sales would’ve pushed 2 million without Mayweather showing the world he has absolutely zero class and even less intellect.

I’m sure Mayweather’s defenders will blast HBO for exploiting the dysfunction in Mayweather’s family -- Floyd’s father/occasional trainer is an ex-con who despises his younger brother, who just happens to be Floyd’s current trainer -- and protecting its meal ticket, De La Hoya.

But the reality is capitalism and its TV shows will exploit whoever volunteers for exploitation. Floyd Mayweather Jr. is no different from the trailer-park jackass who agrees to go on “Jerry Springer.”

Well, there are a couple of differences. Floyd is rich and doesn’t need to act an ass to enjoy 15 minutes of fame.

But you’d never know it from watching “De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7.”

HBO’s “De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7,” a brilliant four-part documentary hyping Saturday’s bout, was called after three rounds, before the airing of tonight’s finale, in De La Hoya’s favor.

Yep, this will be a classic case of Mayweather and his mostly black fan base winning the battle and losing the war to De La Hoya and his mostly Latino fan base.

“De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7” is a prime example of a high-profile black athlete using a large platform to define himself as an idiot. Meanwhile, De La Hoya used the same platform to define himself as the All-American family man and businessman.

I just don’t get it. I have no idea why Mayweather would choose to portray himself the way he has in this miniseries. The man and his handlers can’t be that stupid. And he doesn’t need to play the role of wild buffoon to sell this fight. Tickets for the bout sold out in three hours. Pay-per-view sales would’ve pushed 2 million without Mayweather showing the world he has absolutely zero class and even less intellect.

I’m sure Mayweather’s defenders will blast HBO for exploiting the dysfunction in Mayweather’s family -- Floyd’s father/occasional trainer is an ex-con who despises his younger brother, who just happens to be Floyd’s current trainer -- and protecting its meal ticket, De La Hoya.

But the reality is capitalism and its TV shows will exploit whoever volunteers for exploitation. Floyd Mayweather Jr. is no different from the trailer-park jackass who agrees to go on “Jerry Springer.”

Well, there are a couple of differences. Floyd is rich and doesn’t need to act an ass to enjoy 15 minutes of fame.

But you’d never know it from watching “De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7.”

De La Hoya is easily worth 20 times more than Mayweather. Compared to Oscar, Floyd is “hood rich,” and based on this HBO series always will be.

Given an opportunity to put himself, his family and his people in a positive light, De La Hoya took full advantage. Given an opportunity to make himself, his family and his people look foolish, Mayweather took full advantage.

Why?

Mayweather has a great smile, lots of charisma and the most talent we’ve seen in a single boxer since Muhammad Ali. Mayweather could be absolutely everything that De La Hoya is -- filthy rich, a legend with staying power and a household name.

De La Hoya was shown calling his Hollywood friends, Michael J. Fox, George Lopez and Matthew McConaughey, and inviting them to the fight. Gangsta rapper 50 Cent is a member of Mayweather’s inner circle, and they were shown in an earlier episode shouting obscenities. 50 Cent is scheduled to perform one of his rap songs live as Mayweather enters the ring Saturday night.

I guess Mayweather is keeping it real. And if that’s real, we’re in a lot of trouble. Mayweather used the biggest fight in 20 years to reinforce a lot of negative stereotypes about black athletes. We should be outraged.

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2007-05-03 10:39:01

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