My Conversation With Jeff Mayweather

Boxing writers tend to look for the "inside scoop" or the story that will create controversy. Controversy creates cash is the phrase that describes it best. I had a phone conversation with Jeff Mayweather yesterday, and he provided me with a lot of knowledge on the sport of boxing as well as the business side. After speaking with Jeff I dont see boxing as a sport anymore I see it as a way off life. "Boxing is a sport that you have to put a lot of time and work into you cant wake up one day and decide to become a boxer" said Mayweather. Nobody will decide in one day all of a sudden that they will become a boxer for no reason at all it takes a love, passion, and desire for boxing. He told me so many stories about things that have happened in the gym with a man who called himself the "Lebron James of Boxing" and we spoke a lot about the divisions in boxing. I can tell by speaking to Jeff that he takes a lot of pride in his craft, and it doesnt matter to him whether or not hes seen in the public eye, he just wants to do his job. The spotlight doesnt mean anything to him Jeff says "I'm my own man you wont see me on 24/7 cussing and stuff." It means more to Jeff to spread his knowledge on his craft than to be on camera. We spoke a little about MMA and his incite on the sport was very true. Jeff's take on MMA was "It doesnt look good on MMA when a man like Frank Mir who fought a long time in the sport lost to a man with 4 fights." Which is very true we spoke a lot on boxing and I learned more and gained more knowledge and respect for the sport that Jeff truly loves to be a part of. "When you get into boxing its hard to get out" said Jeff. Meaning that when you get into boxing many put their life, time, and effort into the sweet science becacuse boxing becomes a part of life, and for Jeff boxing is life though he doesnt have to be in it. He gave me some incite on trainers. He believes as well as I do that trainers are there to help a fighter come back through adversity. He thinks trainers are there to help improve a fighter, and unlike his brothers he has no anamosity towards Freddie Roach he considers him a friend. What a lot of people dont know is Jeff is the only Mayweather to train a heavyweight champion. "I took a man who was a brawler and helped mold him into a more complete boxer" referring to Sultan Ibragimov who he trained a few times. I was glad to have gotten to have an interview better yet conversation because the talk was so back and forth. Many writers depend on controversial topics, I would rather gain more knowledge of the sport than to disrespect it with things that are controversial. It doesnt take much to just sit down and just talk and get to know where that person is coming from instead of just writing things down or trying to find something that will make people read. Attention getters is a part of journalism but what about the ethics? Personally I was glad to talk to Jeff about the aspects of boxing many dont know about as well as giving his incite on what he thought about certain matchups, and what makes up a good fighter. Jeff is currently training fighters right now and has a fighter who he believes will be a world champion someday when he gets a few more fights in. It was an honor and priviledge speak and learn from Jeff Mayweather who I think is one of the best voices in boxing thats never heard because his incite on the sport is unique. Jeff has a lot of passion for what he does and we need more of that in boxing.