The Business of Boxing
Ten days before Mayweather-Hatton, Floyd freestyles on what the sport is really about
2007-11-28
I’ve been training here in Vegas since the beginning of my career. You would think that Vegas would be a distraction, but it’s not. It’s all about having determination and that’s what I’ve been able to do. I’m working harder now than before I became world champion.
Why Vegas? Because Vegas is the centerpiece for all of boxing. This is where the big fights are. If you call yourself a professional firefighter and have lofty goals you don’t want to train in Iowa. You want to be in the mix, in the center of things, the big city.
When it comes to down my focus and preparation, I deal with all the same people – my own inner circle and I don’t go outside of that. My best friend, my advisor, Leonard Ellerbe, my Mom, my sisters, my kids – that’s where I get my strength, having my family around. They help me stay grounded.
But the flip side of that is that I’m a businessman and my business is entertainment.
I’ve been blessed to make very good business decisions. I have two of the best businessmen in the world. Leonard Ellerbe and Al Hayman in my corner. And the three of us; there no stopping us. We’ve put together an unbelievable team. I’ve been able to use the De La Hoya fight to do many other things that I would not have been able to do otherwise – like Dancing with the Stars, for instance.
Since then, I’ve gotten movie offers, deals for power drinks; I’m even promoting concerts now. I’ve put myself in the position where I’ve elevated the Mayweather brand. I’m working toward a Fortune 500 company. I’ve been given an opportunity that God has blessed. I’m empowering other young African Americans to put them into position where they can go off and achieve their own greatness. I don’t get enough credit for that. Everybody around me, I’ve empowered. Leonard Ellerbe is a millionaire now. It’s all about giving back to your community, empowering those around you to be successful. I’ve been out front as a leader, in front of my team showing that once you put your mind to something there’s no stopping you.
Leonard has a strong voice in my company. He’s the CEO of my promotion company, my best friend. We’ve grown together. We’ve gone through ups and downs. He’s seen me through my best and worst.
I approach boxing as a business, and as a result I’ve put myself in a position that no one can really say they’ve been able to do. By the end of this year I’ll be the second highest paid athlete other than Tiger Woods but he has “Machine Nike” behind him. Without my team none of this would be possible.
For the record, HBO’s show, 24/7 was my idea – to let the cameras come into the lives of the fighters. It’s not a distraction for me, I’m used to the camera. With me, everything you get is raw. Real. In the De la Hoya fight I came off as the bad guy, but it’s part of the business – there has to be a bad guy, a good guy. This time they are showing more of me as a family man, more of me in different sides, being flexible. The person on 24/7 – that’s my job. That’s what I do. That has nothing to do with me and the person I am. I love my kids, I respect the fans, the people, the elderly. That show doesn’t define me.
My fights are events. Very few fighters have been in back-to-back live gates with 8- figure ticket sales. I have the earning power to make a difference. I urge all the other fighters in the game and young Black people in general to start thinking about being in control of your own business, being in control of your own situation. Think in terms of creating your own legacy.
Mayweather/Hatton 24/7 airs Sunday nights on HBO
The Mayweather/Hatton fight airs December 8th on HBO PPV
