Someone With ESPN insider post this article..(floyd mayweather)

'Money' giving back

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It's so easy to get on Floyd Mayweather's case, especially after last weekend. While Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito decimated opponents in welterweight title fights and happily look forward to throwing down with each other on July 26 in what could be a fight of the year candidate, Mayweather has shown no desire to fight either of them, especially Cotto. For his careful selection of opponents, Mayweather is suffering the wrath of many fans and media who want to see the pound-for-pound king defend his throne by taking on the best challengers. Instead, Mayweather is involved with all sorts of activities that do not include boxing such as pro wrestling and concert promoting, all while proclaiming himself the best fighter ever and continually flashing his wealth and fast lifestyle. It does get old and it sure drives a lot of us crazy. And when "Money" finally does get back in the ring it will presumably be on Sept. 20 in a rematch against Oscar De La Hoya. It's a fight that will do huge business but won't prove a thing. A second victory over De La Hoya is merely about business and won't add to Mayweather's legacy. (De La Hoya, of course, must beat Steve Forbes on May 3, but most view that as a foregone conclusion.) So Mayweather deserves to be taken to task for his careful selection of opponents -- did anyone besides British fans actually think Ricky Hatton had a real chance against him? -- and his obvious refusal to even entertain a fight with Cotto. But there is also a softer, less public side to Mayweather that also deserves some attention. Instead of showering night club patrons with cash, Mayweather has found a much better use for some of his money by giving back to his sport, something not nearly enough wealthy fighters do. He recently wrote a check for $140,000 and gave it to organizers of the National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions, which will take place in his hometown of Grand Rapids, Mich., from May 5 to May 10. Mayweather's gift will cover the entire cost of operating this year's event, meaning all the revenue it generates will be able to go toward future events, which will give the organization a nice nest egg. The tournament is being hosted by the Michigan Golden Gloves, the non-profit organization that Mayweather was a part of as an amateur. It was instrumental in his development into a 1996 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist and great professional fighter. Mayweather remembers where he came from and is in a position to give back. "This is an opportunity to recognize the organization that got my career started," said Mayweather, who plans to attend the tournament's opening ceremonies on May 4. "If there is anything worth putting my money towards it is the Michigan Golden Gloves, who have been helping kids excel in the sport of boxing for years. I truly believe and hope there is a kid out there that can be as good, if not better than, me." Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather's adviser and close friend, presented the Mayweather Promotions check to the West Michigan Sports Commission and was happy to do it. "Floyd wanted to financially support the program he started his amateur boxing career with and acknowledge their long-standing and deep commitment to young fighters throughout the state looking to find a career in the sport," he said. "He feels he is in the position he is in today because of the Golden Gloves Tournament and his amateur success in the Michigan boxing program." Organizers of the event certainly appreciate Mayweather's generosity. "Floyd is our Oprah Winfrey, our 'Big Give,' and we are in awe of his financial commitment to the tournament," said Dave Packer, the executive director of Michigan Golden Gloves. "Not only can we give some deserving kids tickets to attend, but his generosity will enable us to take the proceeds from the tournament and continue our work with amateur fighters in the state who could end up having a career path similar to his." During his standout amateur career, Mayweather won three national Golden Gloves tournaments in three weight classes in each of the three years he competed (1993, 1994 and 1996). The donation does not change the fact that Mayweather won't fight the fights we want to see the most, but it should at least remind us that there is more to him than the cartoonish villain he has come off as during recent fight promotions. So next time you hear, see or read some outlandish comment from Mayweather, see him brag about his wealth, or get frustrated because you think he's ducking Cotto or anybody else, just remember that it is only one side to the man.

 

i like to see when atheletes do charity work and don't demand any praise for it. there are a lot of atheletes who do this but we very rarely hear about it, though and that's good when the only thing that matters is the people you're helping.

 

Mayweather is a human at the end of the day. It's something that a lot of people unfortunately forget; he's not a saint, but he's not a complete ******* either. He often plays the role of the bad guy for the public, and even though there's certainly true elements of his personality in there, it also seems as if he exaggerates them a lot to become controversial. Really he's not that bad of a guy at all -- as his family have said, he often behaves in a childish way because he never really got to be a child. It was just boxing, boxing, boxing.

I just wonder why he can't realise that he doesn't need to make himself hated to sell tickets -- look at Shane Mosley. One of the classiest and most polite/cool guys in the game, and he still rakes in cash, far past his prime. And then there's De La Hoya, the 'hero' poster boy of boxing who gave Mayweather his biggest pay day. Villains aren't the only people who rake in money.

 

well he either did it because he is a really nice guy or because charity money is a tax write off and we all know taxes are due soon.

 

Scumbaggio.

 

I suppose you're unaware of the fact that this write off can't be applied to the taxes which were "due soon."