In one of his interviews with Fytehype’s Ben Thompson, Mayweather talked about racism in the sport and cited the case of Andre Ward, who remains No. 4 in the Ring’s pound for pound rating when he says he should be No.2. He isn’t there because he believes there is racism in play in the selection process.
In one portion of the interview Mayweather was asked about his views on racism and asked to expound on it for some people to understand what he’s saying.
“You gotta really look at things like this, when Bernard Hopkins was a middleweight trying to fight Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, and Felix Trinidad, they [the media] said he was calling out smaller guys. When the guy Triple G does it, they don’t say shit. Once again, I’m not racist; I’m just saying racism still exists. Do I think that they’re trying to get Andre Ward beat? Absolutely! Andre Ward, if you’re reading this article, if I was you, I wouldn’t move up to 175 pounds to fight the guy, Kovalo [Sergey Kovalev], if that’s his name, because I really don’t know his name. I know he’s a light heavyweight,” Mayweather said.
Saying he isn’t a racist but contends that racism still exists, Mayweatheer defended Ward because he thinks the guy is a better fighter compared to Segey Kovalev or Gennady Golovkin.
“Andre Ward is a 168-pounder and I think he should continue to dominate at 168. This is what I think should happen. You know, everybody keeps talking Triple G, so I just started taking notice probably last year. If this guy Triple G is so tough and so bad, you know, from what they say, then let him go up and fight Andre Ward. Once again, these guys in boxing [media], not me, are rating this guy, Triple G, super high. He’s good with a stationary target in front of him. When he’s fighting a guy that’s straight up and down with no special effects, is he good? Absolutely! But do I think that Triple G can beat Andre Ward? Absolutely not! Easy pickings! It’s going to be very, very, very easy for Andre Ward.”
De la Hoya, who lost a split decision against Mayweather in 2007, said there is no racism in boxing as Mayweather have been saying.
“There is no racism in boxing at all.” said de la Hoya, who retired from boxing after losing to Manny Pacquiao on a technical decision in 2008. “If you’re a champion or not a champion, people love you or they won’t. Period.
“Look, if you’re going to run and not provide the people with a show, you are not going to be wanted. But if you’re going to knock people out and give the people a show, the people will worship you and racism has nothing to do with it,” he said.
Following their retirement from boxing, Mayweather and de la Hoya have elevated their fight outside the ring as they are now trying to beat each other in generating more revenues for their own companies.
