Is Floyd Mayweather On The Decline?

It seems from an abundance of the sentiment I am seeing and even my own feelings as a hardcore boxing fan, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. has started to decline. Not necessarily financially yet, as he has a guaranteed two more $32 million pay days.

But as a brand, and as someone that people are interested in seeing, he is starting to get old. A confluence of factors have combined in a kind of perfect negative storm.

• His look how rich I am shtick has gotten old. People get that he has a few $ and likes to selectively throw it around. But he is tone deaf to the negative reaction that approach has on even his admiring boxing fans. Non-boxing fans simply detest it.

• A clearer view in this “Ray Rice” environment that Floyd has repeatedly treated women much worse than that single punch. No cameras were around to record it but the reports are simply too numerous and consistent in them to all be unfair “attacks” on Money.

• Trouble in his business camp. Whatever the reasons may be, good or bad, Floyd is showing discomfort with those around him. His my way only approach may have thinned the skin of those around that are not singularly dependent on his paying them for their livelihood. Time will tell how that unfolds.

• Lastly, and most importantly, his fights. His fights where he makes his millions. Relative to other bouts, fans have become increasingly aware of the fact that most of his fights are boring and predictable. When was the last time that you even THOUGHT that Floyd had the possibility of knocking someone out? Sure, he is clearly the better boxer, and does win a majority of 12 rounds with athletic skill and superiority. But there are enough young lions out there (Keith Thurman, Kell Brook….etc.) other than Pacquiao that would make things compelling. I will insert credit to Floyd for taking on Canelo. A bold move that paid off. However, with the above mentioned dark clouds circling, his next two fights will need to be bold as well, else risk a clear rejection of his bouts at the betting windows and on PPV. (The betting windows were the worst ever for this last rematch).

The only non-competitive fight he can financially get away with is Amir Khan. From a pure boxing perspective Amir doesn’t deserve a shot. His recent record is mixed at best, and while he does come to fight, he also loses and gets knocked out. This at 140 lbs, a weight class BELOW where Floyd fights. However, boxing is a business and Amir has the largest demographic following in the weight vicinity and that means $$$$$.

If not PAC man or a young lion, any other fight will be looked at as just a way for Floyd to extend his “0” for the history books. The loser will most likely be Showtime and perhaps the host MGM site, as I predict the volume of fans just won’t show. People are seeing thru the childish hype.

The money team show of cash, cars, luxury goods, jewelry and Ho’s has run its course. Time for a different business strategy or shtick.

This is the assessment of a lifelong boxing fan (45 years).