Floyd Mayweather Screws Boxing Fans, Pacquiao With New Business Deal
As expected, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has pulled a fast one on the boxing world yet again. With most expecting something big tied up to the fighting sport, the undefeated American boxer instead announced a new business venture.
It goes without saying that most were expecting the Flamboyant One to announce his next fight. At least some boxing fans. Instead, Mayweather announced he was joining Daily Number, a fantasy sports app. Money made the announcement via a video on his official social media account.
Mayweather will be joining the likes of NFL star and co-founder Richard Sherman among the paid celebrity athletes to endorse the app, Boxing Scene.com said. The product comes with a twist, however. Whereas other DFS apps are modeled after salary cap and player-versus-player formats, Daily Number allows users “to play against a target score,” according to co-founder Tom McAuley. “The objective is simply to beat the target.”
Mayweather has focused more on earning big, whether it be in the boxing ring or through business. The retired boxer has only obliged to select fights - particularly boxing matches against UFC star Conor McGregor and Tenshin Nasukawa. Despite the backlash, it remains that the American boxer made big money from these fights.
Looking ahead and unless something big comes up for him, Mayweather is likely to keep a low profile and embark on business outside the ring. Even if his fight with Manny Pacquiao racked in $600 million in revenue, not all believe that a sequel can pull in the same numbers. It is likely that Mayweather is thinking the same.
As for Pacquiao, there is still no official word on who he will be facing next. He is scheduled to return to action in July with either Keith Thurman or Danny Garcia mentioned as his possible next opponent.
Of the two, Thurman is looming as a favorite to face Pacquiao. However, Garcia could make a case for himself if he hurdles Adrian Granados on Apr. 20 at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. Garcia will be slugging it out with Granados for the vacant WBC Silver welterweight belt. Much of this was mentioned in a previous post.
As for a Mayweather vs. Pacquiao rematch, the possibility of seeing this fight is growing dimmer. Nevertheless, boxing fans are unlikely to close the book on it - especially if the two future boxing hall of Famers keep on bumping to each other.