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Floyd to face WWE's Big Show
26/02/2008 14:42 - (SA)
Los Angeles - Floyd Mayweather jnr, the man many consider the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, is preparing to drop his gloves and do some professional wrestling.
A $20m payday awaits the undefeated WBC welterweight champion when he takes on Big Show as part of WWE's "WrestleMania XXIV" at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida, on March 30.
"It's entertainment. You have a chance to just be you and do what you want to do," Mayweather said on Monday after a chaotic Staples Centre event that masqueraded as a news conference.
"Wrestling takes care of business right on the spot," Mayweather said. "Whatever they say they're going to do, they do it right on the spot. There's no waiting three, four, five months. Quick results, quick money. Quick big money, too."
His manager Leonard Ellerbee and WWE executive Shane McMahon confirmed Mayweather's eight-figure payday for the outdoor match to be shown live on pay-per-view.
Mayweather incited the couple hundred of already hyped fans at Staples Centre by whipping out a thick wad of cash and repeatedly tossing $100, $50 and $20 bills into the crowd that had nearly as many women as men.
A mad scramble ensued, with a light pole nearly getting knocked over and two small children caught in the chaos. One lucky man emerged from the pile-up clutching six $100 bills.
Mayweather played to the frenzied crowd after appearing from behind a black curtain wearing a New York Yankees jacket and cap. Fans shouted insults and the name of hometown hero Oscar De La Hoya at Mayweather.
"I run Vegas and I run LA and I will run the WWE," he boasted.
At 5-foot-8 and 68kg, Mayweather gives up a big advantage to the bald Big Show, who stands 7-feet and weighs 195kg.
"I weigh three times as much as he does," Big Show crowed. "It's not fair, but I'm a businessman and I see an opportunity for business."
Then he picked up the wooden podium and tossed it to the floor, where it splintered and the attached two microphones lay like broken sticks. Clearly, Staples Centre officials hadn't expected the move.
Mayweather hopped onto a chair and exchanged glares with Big Show while WWE regulars Randy Orton, John Cena, Triple H and Edge looked on, witnessing a newcomer who clearly understands the theatrics of modern-day wrestling.
"WWE is the biggest it gets," Mayweather said. "This is going to be an event like none other."
Ellerbee scoffed that hardcore boxing fans won't take Mayweather seriously after his WWE antics.
"After March 30, when Floyd goes out and takes care of his business at WrestleMania, he's still going to be the best fighter in the world and the face of boxing," he said. "Tell me what changes about that? Nothing changes."
The wrestling gig is another part of Ellerbee's carefully crafted plan to expand Mayweather's fan base.
"Either I'm going to be a genius with this or I'm the biggest idiot," he said. "Boxers have such a short window of opportunity. He can't become any bigger in boxing."
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