Mayweather out of money and an alias

August 19, 9:24 PMNewark Boxing ExaminerAaron King

Previous Next

49 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Newark Boxing Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Photo: Golden Boy Promotions

The “debate” in boxing circles about Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s rationale for returning to the sport has but two litigators—Team Mayweather and reality. Indeed, it appears the man hitherto known as “Money” has very little of it. An Associated Press report published on July 4 weekend states that, according to public records, Mayweather owes a total of about $6.4 million to the IRS and the trashman, among others.

In response to the accusation that he’s in severe debt, Mayweather has essentially said, “No, I’m not.” A convincing, time-tested retort of innocence.

The stringency of Mayweather’s tax problems notwithstanding, it seems likely that Mayweather’s pockets are lighter these days. We know that he kept his money in his pockets because of the numerous photographs and videos depicting him in clubs, in all his insouciance, tossing wads of cash into crowds of flailing arms. Chances are that bank—i.e. his pant pockets—is feeling the credit crunch too.

That act of dalliance looked brainless then, and it is utterly staggering in retrospect if even half of the AP’s report is correct. Apologies to Mayweather and his manager Leonard Ellerbe, but when it comes to truth-telling, the AP is a little more credible.

With a little more than a week before the first installment of “Mayweather/Marquez 24/7,” it’s time to reconsider the nickname “Money,” given the available facts. I don’t propose to dismiss the moniker altogether—I suggest a mere transfer.

Try this on for size: Juan Manuel “Money” Marquez.

Pound-for-pound mainstay? Check. Alliteration? Check. Accuracy? Well, semi-check. Mayweather’s net worth is likely higher than Marquez’s. But “Money” Marquez is doing pretty well, and as far as we can tell, he’s not in standing up to his forehead in debt and tax liens.

Most importantly, though, in terms of delivering to boxing fans, Marquez has been nothing short of money over the past several years. The same cannot be said of Mayweather, in spite of his immense talent.

All told, when pushed to side with reality, “Money” better fits Marquez. So, henceforth, I will refer to the man formerly known as “El Dinamita” as “Money” Marquez.