Bilbo's suprising observation regarding the Hatton Mayweather buildup

[Kev]

Now I know how the fighter roles have been labelled for this fight, Floyd is the bad guy, the one with the giant ego, humourless, cold, arrogant and Ricky is the good natured, fun, happy go lucky guy right.

Except that I havn't seen that at all in the press conferences or buildup despite the media's best efforts to convince us otherwise.

In contrary to popular perception it's Floyd who has remained good natured and humourous throughout.

He hasn't resorted to calling Hatton a cock or a wanker, he hasn't told us repeatedly what an amazing human being he is and how the world is fully justified in loving him.

He's been cocky and arrogant, living up to his image but he's always done it in a good natured way imo.

At the weight in tonight, whilst Ricky was pushing himself up against him and making obscene gestures to him he got his kids up on stage to hold all his belts.

Whilst the crowd was booing him and chanting for Ricky he was dancing along with them and at other press conferences singing back 'There's only one Mayweather'.

He never gets credit for this but he's actually great with the fans. He's never taken offense but rather has played along with them, teasing them back and encouraging them to boo him louder.

He's had as much to do with this fight's hype as Ricky. He plays his role well and has done a great job in willingly playing the bad guy role in the pantomime that this prefight has become.

The only time that tensions have begun to get ugly it's been Ricky Hatton who has brought things down a notch.

Not that I mind, I think the build up for this has been cracking.

But I think Floyd should get credit for being far more crowd pleasing and a bigger draw than people make out he is.

True he takes on the role of the boxer people love to hate but he plays it for all he's worth and gives the fans a great pre fight showing.

Once he's retired and gone he'll be looked back on fondly imo.

I was linked to this thread when I made a new post today. Now I know I shouldn't be so arrogant as to praise my own posts but damn this one was good!

I suprise myself with my acute perceptions sometimes. Of course it's EASY to play the nice guy and to be the one the fans root for. But it takes strength of character and a healthy ego as well as an ability to laugh at yourself to play the bad guy role in order that BOTH fighters benefit from the extra hype and ticket sales.

Yoitsdan take note.......

[brucelee]

You're making better sense now Bilbo. Your infrequent visits in this site seems to give you some sense.