Mayweathers — one happy family
Wednesday was Media Day for Floyd Mayweather Jr., and that meant all sorts of bizarre things.
The six-time world champion, who returns to the ring Sept. 19 after a 21-month layoff to meet Juan Manuel Marquez in a 12-round welterweight bout, in style, rolling in a black Ford F-150 truck that was specially designed to be an armored car.
And when Mayweather got there, his father, Floyd Sr., was waiting for him. Their on-again, off-again relationship is back on as the elder Mayweather has been a welcome visitor at his son’s training camp and everyone seems happy.
"He’s there to support me," Floyd Jr. said. "What son wouldn’t want his father there to support him?"
Floyd Sr. said: "It’s a very good feeling. It’s been nine years. That’s a long time. But we both got older, and we both used some common sense."
The elder Mayweather has been a regular visitor to his son’s camp. And while he is glad to have reconnected with Floyd Jr., he knows that for this fight, like all the others, it’s his brother and Floyd Jr.’s uncle Roger who is in charge as lead trainer.
"He’s the boss," Floyd Sr. said. "He and I don’t have no problems. He’s done a very good job."
Roger Mayweather said having his brother around is fine with him.
"It’s no big thing," he said. "He’s just there watching. Why would I have a problem with him? I didn’t do anything to him."
Floyd Sr. said his son won’t miss a beat in his return to the ring, where he is 39-0 with 25 knockouts.
"He’s bigger and he’s faster (than Marquez). That’s two important factors," he said. "He’s looking sharp in training. He’s working that jab, and the jab is what starts everything."
Floyd Jr. said he takes his father’s advice to heart when he gives it. After all, Floyd Sr. got him started in the sport when he was a toddler.
"He and my Uncle Roger will put the game plan together," Floyd Jr. said. "He sees things, he tells me. We’re fine. It’s good to have him around."
Floyd Sr. admitted he missed being in the gym with his kid.
"I missed my son first, but I also missed the boxing," he said. "That’s a big part. That’s what we lived for. I told him, ‘You’re going to be great. We’re going to be great together.’
"Not many fathers make their sons a world champion. But most who do, they split up. Right now, I’m more concerned about my son. I’m sitting on the side, but I know what my son needs to win, and my son knows that I know what he needs."
But Floyd Sr. said he’ll let his brother continue to handle his son and he’ll be there if he’s needed.
"The important thing is we’re all back on the same page, and it’s all good," he said.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.
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