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Floyd Mayweather Jr. – All money ain’t Good Money.

August 4, 2014 by  
Filed under News, Opinion, Sports, Weekly Columns

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(ThyBlackMan.com) Long lost are the days when our fighters embodied the collective pathos of our community. The last one to do it effectively was Muhammad Ali, whose eloquent delivery and stylish bravado captured and certified the black community’s desire to define itself by its own terms. Ultimately the message that he delivered to the world was that Black was the new cool.

The black community has always upheld its boxers to an almost mythical standard. From Jack Johnson to Joe Louis to Sugar Ray Robinson to Joe Frazier and even Mike Tyson, black fighters have always represented the indomitable will to withstand and conquer adversity. They represent the unapologetic truth that the fight in all of us is strong and heroic. In them we affirm our ability to be victorious over all of our personal battles that we too hope to be victorious over.

The boxing ring has been the earthly dwelling place for many of our real-life superheroes. It is the place where our champions get to prove that they are giants.

All of that comes to a screeching halt when it comes to Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Notwithstanding an impeccable professional record of 46 fights and nofloyd-mayweather-jr-2014 losses, notwithstanding the fact that he has a net worth of close to $300 million, higher than any other professional athlete regardless of sport, notwithstanding the fact that he works probably harder than most other fighters in all of boxing, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has done more to bring shame to the black community than any other boxer before him.

The moral character of most boxers is sketchy at best. Neither can it be said that many boxers have lead personal lives that are exemplary of the finer elements of the black community. It’s rare that you see people from wealthy or even well-to-do families turn to boxing as a way out. This was no different for Mayweather whose family struggled to raise him during his father’s incarceration. Those years were tough, but thanks to his work no one else in his family will have to work for many generations. This is commendable.

But Floyd Mayweather Jr. misses the boat when it comes down to being the representative voice for black people. Why? Because if you’re going to talk about being the world’s best fighter in your weight class then be the world’s best fighter in your weight class and fight all of the challengers.

Case in point was a radio show that he did back in November of 2011. The host, ironically a Floyd Mayweather Jr. fan, asked him a question that many boxing fans have wanted to ask him for a long time. The question was “why won’t you fight Manny Pacquiao.” For those of you not in the know Manny Pacquiao is considered to be the best pound for pound boxer in the same weight class as Mayweather.

A few years ago when a fight between them was all but certain the Floyd Mayweather Jr. team requested, to the shock of boxing fans all over the world, that Pacquiao take a drug test to prove that he wasn’t using steroids. After considering it Pacquiao agreed, only to be stifled by being requested to accept a lower portion of the gate than he felt he should receive. The fight never happened.

This was an affront to boxing fans, and it would’ve stayed an in-house “boxing fan” debate had Floyd not opened his big mouth on a radio show and turned it into an issue of race.

You’re not black, are you,” he questioned the DJ who was interviewing him.

No, and what does that have to do with anything?” the DJ responded.

Wait a minute. Asking a legitimate question about a legitimate issue that deals specifically with how you make a living became an issue of racial solidarity? It’s not like he asked you your shoe size or where you go shopping for toilet paper. What?

By re-directing the tone of the conversation, the precipice of May weather’s argument became “what I did was about being black. You ain’t black. Fall back.”

The conversation then degenerated into what can be best described as a school yard fight between two first graders with Mayweather leading the assault that went from everything to his race to the host’s sexual orientation. It was an embarrassment of the highest degree.

In spite of all the discrepancies of many other fighters who have gone before him, none of them have ever shielded their cowardice behind race. And since he brought it up, one of the most sacred ideals that the black community holds in the highest esteem is justice. Making someone prove their worthiness by subjecting them to a spurious test is the same tactic that racist southern whites used to prevent masses of black folks from voting. In the lexicon of boxing, justice is when two worthy opponents have earned the right to fight one another. In the end Mayweather supplanted his own lust for money over the honor code within his own sport. In that instance Floyd Mayweather Jr. effectively pimped himself out to the highest bidder.

In other words, he played himself, AND used his blackness (and apparent homophobia) as a shield to prevent his inability to answer a straightforward question. To make matters worse he equated that with being black.

So, being black is not being able to articulate a response? It apparently also means that the only thing you’re good at is executing a non-sequitor argument. Thanks Mayweather.

By making it a black thing, then know this: the black community applauds champions and not chumps. Since you have claimed to be one of ours, we will uphold you to the greater good, and call you out when you come up short. The black community knows the difference between men and boys. And lastly the black community knows how to say “all money ain’t good money.” 

Staff Writer; Steven Robinson

May also visit this talented writer over at; http://noroomtowiggle.wordpress.com/.

 

 


Comments

20 Responses to “Floyd Mayweather Jr. – All money ain’t Good Money.”
  1. donduwan says:

    I with Money all the way….all you wanna be black man get off this webpage!!!!

  2. jfrompty says:

    This article seems to me as a personal attack against Floyd Mayweather Jr. Don’t matter the race or social status of a person, He or she is entitled to do whatever he or she desires with their life, Why? Because God gives every person free will, don’t assassinate this man character as an excuse not to do something yourself, what have you done lately or may I say what have we done lately?.. Its a sad place to be in when we are looking for others to “represent” or create change, when all of us have been uniquely made to do something. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!

  3. riff says:

    “Thy Blackman?” what the fcuk is that for a website? Please change that name cause ain’t nothing black about this article that’s why I don’t see an actual author. No boxer in history has controlled their career as Mayweather does. that radio show you spoke of is hosted by a non black person and yes, that does matter. Mayweather represents the black community and he does it well. so don’t write these propaganda articles as if this website that I’ve never heard of is somehow representative of the black community. Whoever has wrote this article needs to kill yourself.

  4. Ronald says:

    BAD ARTICLE…….and the writer makes it seem Floyd has not done anything positive in his career……..he has helped a lot of folks in his circle become successful…… and has won some of the most toughest honorable fights in history in his weight class……..What my black community needs is more positive thoughts aside from negative………this article displays more negative……..mama always said if you don’t have anything nice to say say nothing at all

  5. Richard says:

    You sound like you have a personal disdain for someone that has no clue of who you are. Athletes are not role models. No one person represents a whole race. When is judging someone newsworthy? Brother you are critic aka hater…

  6. Mike says:

    Tim, the writer praised Floyd for achieving a great deal of success. What he was trying to say was that as soon as Mayweather made his inability to answer a simple question about race, he opened himself up to being criticized. If Floyd wants to fight and run his mouth then go right ahead. Just don’t bring my blackness into the argument to cover up your own mess. And Mike Tyson never hid behind his blackness as to why he went to jail. Floyd, stick to boxing and leave the social commentary alone.

  7. harris says:

    Stop watching this mans pocket book that’s called being a hater get yours and stop looking for this mans support he has nothing for you becasue he is not a deep person and thats ok most of my family members are not deep thinkers and I still love them deal with it if you think he has too much money stop supporting his fights its that simple.

  8. harris says:

    I feel the hate coming from this and any other article I have read from this site as it pertains the The Money Team, its so strong it sounds personal not objective as it should be. LOOK like my man Charles Barkley said years ago he is not a role model for your kids he is just a ballplayer. Floyd Mayweather is not and should not be made the spokesman for black people in America just because he is performer in the boxing world when he speeks he speeks only for him self, his family and his own personal experiences and in America race is always the first issue if he felt like talking about it that day I’m sure he may have had personal reasons to do so…..White people Mexicans, Asian people don’t put the weight of their whole generation and race on their super stars why are black people always looking for a spokes person like we need one its not fair. Charles Barkley stop that mess quick Floyd needs to step up and check this generation of haters.

  9. Jeff Kennedy says:

    Manny is not afraid of needles. The issue was how blood test can prevent him from training 100%. I know a lot of people who give blood and their done for the rest of the day. Besides why take and Olympic style test? This is professional boxing. If Floyd wants to keep boxing fair and safe, how about use his influence to make blood test the norm for all boxers, in all the state boxing commission not hold one fighter to his standard. Regardless of Manny getting KO’d by a man who jumped two weight classes and never fought at welterweight. Big accomplishment for the best fighter on the planet. Its also funny that the only people who believe Mayweather will crush Manny, is his fans.

  10. Tim says:

    Am surprised at how the writer is unable to put facts properly and in chronological order. Why he chose to forget about Pacmans fear of needles while 99& of his body is covered in tattoos is such a wonder. Why he has not mentioned the stadium Bob Arum supposedly wanted to build for the fight to happen is another wonder. The fact of the matter is that both camps are to blame for not making the fight happen.

    Nominating Money to be the most shameful black boxer is another idiotic contribution from the writer. Has he forgotten that one Mike Tyson was sent to prison for raping a young lady; lets not also not forget about several assaults Tyson has done on both several men and women. The conclusion is that you find it easier to bash Mayweather because he has not lost a fight and not Tyson and several other black boxers who have also done a lot of bad things outside the ring because they have lost at least once and that’s enough reason not to attack them. Am not American and I follow your country quite well and I have just found your self hating attitude very annoying. Peace to you all and may Floyd retire undefeated.

  11. Mike says:

    @BobbyHill
    Yeah, he got knocked out by a fighter who Floyd Mayweather beat by unanimous decision (yawn) as a result of coming in 5 pounds heavier and dodging him for the entire fight. Mayweather is a points boxer, everyone knows that. He’s never going to stand toe-to-toe with anyone. He’s a smart boxer, but will only ever be a paper champion.

  12. BobbyHill says:

    What an idiotic article. Pacquiao got KNOCKED THE FUUUUUU*K OUT. Get over it.

  13. Gerrie says:

    I love Mayweather’s incredible talent. I hate the man behind the talent. If Mayweather had Manny’s charisma and character, many will consider him TBE.

  14. richard says:

    It should not be about race, many great men in history are black people who brought pride and inspirations to all peoples of the world. In contrast, Mayweather one of the talented boxers who ever lived represents the most grotesque example of a bigot who wanted to be famous and great in his art but has no inkling of what made black people in history “great”. Its their exemplary character and what they stood for that always count. Mayweather is a man without sense and character.

  15. hope to hear more from our brother blacks to once and for all pressure Floyd to prove himself. Pacquiao’s dare to fight for charity must’ve been the last straw.Let Floyd’s own brothers’ heed be the last ‘test’to his real mettle.

  16. ax says:

    absolutely right keep writing..im black people..mayweather is shame in our race…

  17. Well said, profound and cuts right through where it should matter though doubtful enough in Mayweather’s end. i am a Filipino and have been proud of Pacquiao’s position as an icon in boxing. I also admire black athlete’s with all their talents and skills which made them a special breed of competitors including Mayweather, and i personally believe they have been role models also for Filipino athletes. But Floyd’s arrogance and irrational senseless comments and actuations have indeed tarnished the legacies black athletes have left in every field in sports. Filipinos may have found one unfortunate reason to look down on the greatness of black athletes,all on account of Floyd’s misrepresentations.

  18. copterball says:

    thumbs up!!!!

  19. Diehard Batang says:

    Very well-analyzed and excellently written article.

  20. Chito Villanueva says:

    I love the observations you made on Money, I am a filipino who loves boxing and having Manny in us makes us proud. The fight never really meant to happen since Money forms a queu or littany of excuses just to avoid fighting our Champ Manny. But the saddest thing he said was your right in his interview with a dj over the radio. This Stanza of yours said it all right

    In spite of all the discrepancies of many other fighters who have gone before him, none of them have ever shielded their cowardice behind race. And since he brought it up, one of the most sacred ideals that the black community holds in the highest esteem is justice. Making someone prove their worthiness by subjecting them to a spurious test is the same tactic that racist southern whites used to prevent masses of black folks from voting. In the lexicon of boxing, justice is when two worthy opponents have earned the right to fight one another. In the end Mayweather supplanted his own lust for money over the honor code within his own sport. In that instance Floyd Mayweather Jr. effectively pimped himself out to the highest bidder.

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