Boxing Camp Notes: Floyd Mayweather Jr In Las Vegas

The mood has been very serious in the Mayweather Boxing Gym as superstar and six-time World Champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather prepares for his May 1 showdown against WBA Welterweight Champion Sugar Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and live on HBO Pay-Per-View.

Since arriving back in Las Vegas on March 4 following publicity stops at the Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Game and a three-city media tour, Mayweather has made the gym his home, sometimes doubling-up boxing sessions before heading outside to run like a hare through the streets, parks and hills of Las Vegas. Never one to cut corners and already known for his intense, high-level workouts, Mayweather is pushing himself to a new level that is even amazing his own team. He knows the caliber of fighter that Shane Mosley is and the undefeated Mayweather, with a record of 40-0, is ready to make Mosley the 41st notch on his belt.

“I have kept my mind focused on training for this fight with very few distractions. Everyone knows I am pretty much an open book with plenty of access to my gym when I am training for a fight,” said Mayweather. “But for this one it’s different. I recognize what Mosley brings to the ring and he’s going to be one hell of an opponent.

“He’s one of the best fighters of this era and he’s been talking a lot about knocking me out. That is not going to happen and on May 1 people are going to see another side of me. I am ready to capitalize on this opportunity and come fight night, I will leave no doubt in anyone’s mind that I am the best in the world.”

“Floyd always trains with intensity and passion but this camp is unlike others in that he has a singleness of purpose and a focus that is phenomenal,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “I can only imagine what is going to happen to Shane Mosley on May 1.”

The Mayweather family is back on HBO®’s 24/7 starring none other than Floyd himself along with the ever-famous trainer Uncle Roger and father Floyd Sr. The tight-knit clan can’t wait for the premier on April 10 at 10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT. when they too plan to watch “the rest of the story.”

“I’m an entertainer, and the upcoming 24/7 will be the best one yet. The cameras have been rolling since the fight was announced, and you know you’re going to see something exciting when you follow me. Fans will not want to miss it,” said Mayweather.

“Marquez tried drinking his own urine last time around, and people do crazy things when they know they have to face the best fighter in the world. Hopefully Mosley got the memo that drinking pee doesn’t work. Let’s see what he tries to do. Nothing, absolutely nothing works when you have to face me.”

Decked out in fancy black-tie attire only the Champ could pull off, Mayweather hosted the First Annual Floyd Mayweather Jr. Foundation Benefit Dinner at the MGM Grand premier ballroom last Friday night, April 2 in Las Vegas. The event was attended by nearly 250 guests and raised money to fund the Foundations’ generous charitable work throughout the Las Vegas community.

The Foundation, which Mayweather started in 2007, has a mission statement of empowering and encouraging community alliances, impacting youth leadership and strengthening family foundations through community development, entrepreneurialism and education. The funds raised at the dinner will be allocated among various programs in the areas of education, community outreach, mentoring programs and a youth summer camp. Dinner honorees, recognized for their service to the community, included comedian George Wallace and local school Matt Kelly Elementary.

“I want to thank Floyd and his Foundation for honoring me at their first gala event,” said Wallace. “Floyd is an integral part of this community and he gives back generously. Last year he helped me fund bicycles for kids in need and if it wasn’t for his help, those kids might not have received those special gifts. I commend Floyd for his work and achievements as a boxer and as a man.”

“The event was extremely successful and the funds raised will go directly to improving our community,” said Mayweather. “Although I am very focused on my May 1 fight, giving back is always a nice break, whether it is feeding the homeless or working with youth in Las Vegas is something that is very important to me. It’s something I’ll continue to do over the next month and beyond.”

It might have been Spring Break for Floyd Mayweather’s kids last week, but that only meant they could spend more time with their dad in the gym who was hard at work. No strangers to supporting their father ringside or while training, his four children Koraun, Zion, Iyanna, and Jirah (ages 6-10) came to the gym everyday to give their dad encouragement and great happiness by them just being there.

As the boys Koraun and Zion continue to find their own love for boxing while learning from Roger or getting tips from their grandfather Floyd Sr., his beautiful girls Iyanna and Jirah made sure they were having fun and smiling with their Dad kissing them throughout the day. After the hard work was over, Mayweather took time to step away from the “office” to have some fun with this brood as the entire clan celebrated Zion’s ninth birthday with a trip to the movies to see “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” followed by a night at the Thomas and Mack Center to see WWE Smack Down with his two sons.

“My kids are my life and when they have Spring break and can spend more time with me it is just the greatest feeling,” said Mayweather. “Boxing is in the Mayweather blood, so they’re no strangers to the gym. To see them here enjoying boxing is great. Having them around just gives me extra motivation to go out and do my job.”

Boxing superstar and six-time World Champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather and welterweight mega-star, five-time World Champion and current WBA Welterweight Champion Sugar Shane Mosley, are set to meet on Saturday, May 1 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas in a spectacular bout which will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Tickets, priced at $1,250, $1,000, $600, $300 and $150 not including applicable service charges, are on sale now and limited to 10 per person and ticket sales at $150 are limited to two (2) per person with a total ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

HBO’s Emmy-Award-winning all-access series “24/7” premieres an all new edition when “24/7 Mayweather/Mosley” debuts Saturday, Apr. 10 at 10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT. The four-part series will air for three consecutive Saturday nights before the finale airs the night before the welterweight showdown in Las Vegas.

The Mayweather vs. Mosley pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $54.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry.