Floyd Mayweather has experienced just about everything in a long and glorious boxing career.
Mayweather is set to do what he does best and make more money when he engages in a high-profile curiosity match against YouTuber turned boxer Logan Paul at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Sunday.
Despite a huge gulf in boxing ability, Paul is likely to have a 30lbs plus weight advantage as well as physical edges in height (six inches) and reach (four inches) in their scheduled eight-round exhibition. But Mayweather has often faced bigger (and far more talented) opposition and has few fears against a man 18 years his junior.
“Most of the time when I go out there and fight, I’m giving up 20 pounds. When I was fighting at 140, the guys I was fighting were going up to 160. When I was fighting at 147, guys were going up to 167 within 24 hours. I don’t really worry about the weight. Once again, fighting wins fights,” said Mayweather.
“It’s going to be fun. It’s what I do. There’s a difference between being a YouTube fighter and an elite fighter. I’m a fighter and I don’t worry about anything. I’ve been a professional for 25 years and I’ve fought the best and seen every style and I always came out on top.
“I never worry about the height or size, it’s all about the skills. That’s one thing about Floyd Mayweather, I’ve got skills.
“Why not fight Logan Paul? He’s huge on YouTube. He has a huge following. Before I even knew about YouTube, I was huge in boxing. And when you bring his world with my world, man it’s going to be crazy.
“I’m glad he’s got confidence. I’m glad he believes in himself. Last time I checked, all 50 fighters that I faced, they all said the same thing.
“The boxing was the mashed potatoes. I guess these guys now are the gravy. I retired from boxing, but I didn’t retire from entertainment or from making money.”
Main image: Amanda Westcott/Showtime.