Floyd Mayweather Workout In London

At a sweltering gym in east London, it seemed the world was waiting for the return of Floyd Mayweather, in his first public workout since announcing his return to the ring. Allan Williams was ringside for the action.

Floyd Mayweather may be skilled at boxing, but as far as timekeeping goes, he leaves a lot to be desired. The two hour session that was originally due to begin at 3pm instead became a shorter session starting at 4.45pm. The crowd was packed to the rafters, good natured yet boisterous, and this led to delays by the Mayweather camp as the fans tried to rush to the ring to get a glimpse of their idol.


Britain’s Olympic Gold medallist James DeGale turned up to catch a glimpse of Floyd, and as the wait ensued in the baking hot gym DeGale took to the ring to entertain the crowd, going through the motions with some pad work as the crowd awaited ‘Money’ Mayweather.. Speaking to DeGale afterwards, the immensely likeable boxer gave me an interesting insight into his mindset. He is fighting again on the Khan-Kotelnik undercard, in a 4x3, and DeGale told me he that with the work he is putting in, he could easily do 6x3’s, or an 8-rounder. Commenting on the recent news that amateur rival Darren Sutherland is to fight the man DeGale fought on his pro debut, he said: ‘it’s rubbish, you know – that’s not a test at all. They’re only doing it to try and get one up on me’.

When Mayweather took to the ring, even his burly security guards couldn’t keep the crowd from rushing to the ring. Floyd, it must be said, seemed slightly uncomfortable with everyone so close to the ring, frequently shouting ‘back up baby, back up’ as he went close to the ropes and felt people on or near him.

Having said that, Floyd working out is poetry in motion. Seamlessly engaging in the choreographed moves with his uncle and trainer Roger, he looked like he has lost none of his poise or speed in his lengthy absence. At one point, the crowd couldn’t believe their eyes, as Floyd and Roger both closed their eyes and practiced the routine, neither one missing a step. It was over all too quickly, but it had been worth the wait.

Floyd Mayweather Jr Is Scared Of Manny Pacquiao

Will he or won't he? That's the question fight fans the world over are currently asking themselves when it comes to whether or not Floyd Mayweather Junior will fight the quite awesome Manny Pacquiao. In training for his next fight - a "comeback" affair against Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez - "Money" is under immense pressure to fight the lethal Filipino southpaw after that (assuming he beats Marquez, naturally).

Calling himself the greatest fighter of his era, if not of all-time, the unbeaten 32-year-old will not be able to go anywhere without someone or other asking him, 'when you gonna fight Pacquiao, Floyd?' This is almost certainly going to jar the multi-weight champ's pride, but will it jar it enough to make him take what could well be the most exciting and important fight of this decade..

Right now the most talked about and thrilling fighter in all of boxing, Pacquiao and his team are in the driving seat and are in a fine position to be able to call the shots.

Speaking to Ring magazine, trainer Roach made it clear whoever wants to fight "Pac-Man" will have to do so at 140-pounds, as this is the weight Manny feels most formidable at today. A few additional pounds aside - maybe 143 or 144 - Pacquiao will not look to box any higher, says Roach.

"You know what, we fight at 140," Roach told Ring. "These guys are going to have to meet us in the middle somewhere. Everyone wants to fight Manny Pacquiao now. He'll make you money."

Being more specific about the guys that want to fight Pacquiao next, Roach mentioned the Mayweather-Marquez winner from July, Miguel Cotto and reigning WBA welterweight king "Sugar" Shane Mosley.

"Mayweather could've fought Manny (in his comeback fight)," Roach said. "He just had to wait one day. I think he's scared of Manny..... We're not going to wait around. I want to keep Manny busy. A busy fighter is a good fighter. I'd like [him[ to fight in November or December.

"If Cotto wants to come down a few pounds, we can make that happen. If Shane Mosley wants to come down a few pounds, we can make that happen."

Either of the possible fights Roach mentioned would be hugely attractive match-ups, but it is the Mayweather fight everyone really wants to see. Freddie admitted to Ring that Mayweather's style would perhaps give Pacquiao some trouble.

"That's a style that would give Manny some trouble," Freddie said of Mayweather's boxing style. "Manny likes when guys come to him. He used to be just aggressive but now he's a good counter-puncher. He could do both, though. Mayweather would pose problems. But if Mayweather laid on the ropes, Manny would beat the shit out of him."

With Roach also claiming Pacquiao is now a more complete fighter than he was even as recently as the second fight with Marquez, the superb little fighter who has an entire country in his corner clearly represents Mayweather Junior with his greatest challenge.

Floyd Mayweather is Back

Sixteen months after one of the greatest fighters ever to grace the sport of boxing had his last fight and subsequently announced his retirement, the former six-time world champion and 2007 Boxing Writers Association of America Fighter of the Year, Floyd "Money" Mayweather announced his return to the sweet science at a press conference today in Las Vegas.

"When I made my decision to retire last year, I felt like it was time for me to go as I had been boxing my whole life and felt like I had done all that I could do," said Mayweather, whose success and popularity in and out of the ring made him a household name and one of the sport's biggest attractions. "But after I had time to rest, enjoy life with my family and friends, I started to miss the competition and my fans. I am ready to return to boxing and give people another dose of the Mayweather experience.."

Much to the surprise of the sports world, Mayweather left the ring at the top of his game, having amassed an undefeated professional record of 39-0, 25 KOs and championships in five weight divisions. The then-recognized best pound-for-pound fighter in the world was coming off of back-to-back 2007 mega-performances with his historic May 5 victory over Oscar de la Hoya - in the highest grossing pay-per-view event in all of sports history - followed by his stellar December 8 tenth round knockout over the previously undefeated Ricky Hatton. These fights catapulted Mayweather near the top of the all-time money-earning list in the sport.

That same year, Mayweather's star-power and crossover appeal were reaching new heights. His appearances on ABC's Dancing With The Stars and his main event performance in the WWE's WrestleMania XXIV helped to elevate his worldwide recognition to even higher levels. Proof of Mayweather's staying power came with his recent appearance in an AT&T High-Speed Internet commercial that has been showing nationally, including multiple airings during CBS's coverage of this year's Masters Golf Tournament, despite him having been a retired athlete.

More importantly, while Mayweather stepped away from the sport, the world's top fighters continued to ask to fight him and fans everywhere were asking for him to come back to the ring.

"I retired from the sport, but it was as if I had never made an announcement," said Mayweather. "Fighters were constantly calling me out and fans would stop me all the time and ask me to make a return. It feels good to be back and trust me, I will deliver the same electrifying performances I always have throughout my career."

Mayweather makes his return against the dangerous and highly-touted five-time world champion in three weight divisions Juan Manuel Marquez, who is rated among the top fighters in the world today and considered to be a very aggressive selection by Mayweather for his first challenge after his long layoff. The bout will take place on Saturday, July 18 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be broadcast live on HBO pay-per-view

"I am not wasting any time with a tune-up fight," said Mayweather. "I'm going straight to the top. Marquez called me out immediately after his victory over Juan Diaz in February and now he gets his wish. What he is going to find out is that you should be very careful what you wish for."

Mayweather continued, "the rest of those fighters who called me out can get in line too because they are going to get their chance...one at a time and slowly but surely. It's going to be a great return and a wonderful 'experience.' Don't blink - I'M BACK!"