Floyd Mayweather, JR: Spoiled Brat or Boxing Legend?
By Carlos “Famoso” Hernandez
Training for the fight
I’m walking towards my small, but quaint apartment gasping for air, taking deep breaths and breathing out slowly. I reach my door, where my supportive wife is waiting with a tall cold glass of water. I had just gotten in from an eleven mile run. She can see the intense look on my face and recognizes this insane smirk I give her letting her know my preparation is coming along perfectly for battle that’s about to come. I prepare my body and mind through a rigorous construction of muscle, speed and heart to bare any kind of attack to my well being. I’m only facing Floyd Mayweather, JR. the guy who easily dismantled the late Diego “Chico” Corrales. I had to be at my best to beat a guy like him. My runs were vigorous and inspirational where at times, I would chat with God and ask him to protect me from any punishment I may endure. I was always a big dreamer and I would visualize having my arms raised at the end of the fight.
Those moments of solitude where I would lose myself and dream the impossible could be quite possible. Not only that, but the runs along the ocean or the hills allowed me to have some spectacular views. I was amazed how “perfect” life was. My only road block was Floyd Mayweather, JR. and it was a big road block. There were times where I doubted myself. Other times, thinking my people will be disappointed if I lose and also, afraid to let my wife down. I was afraid to face him on the biggest stage, HBO. Finally, I was afraid of fighting in his hometown. No one knew how I felt, not even my wife.
The funny thing is I wasn’t afraid to come face to face with a boxing prodigy. I wanted to get into deep waters with him, waters where we could rumble in that coveted square ring. I’m guessing it’s what normal people call nerves, but I dared to dream big and I wasn’t going to let fear keep me from accomplishing my goal.
First Press Conference
I recall arriving at our hotel in Grand Rapids Michigan and getting our room. We were walking towards the elevator where we spoke with a representative from Top Rank, inquiring what floor I was on so they could push the little number button for the elevator. I nonchalantly told them, the 10th floor please and all hell breaks loose. They blurt out, you cannot be on that floor! That’s the same floor Floyd’s on & he’ll have a fit. I just came in from a long flight from LA to Detroit then to Grand Rapids. I was like come on, are you serious? I promised not to say anything to him if I do bump into him. All I wanted was to get some rest and make love to my wife. They begged, “Please stay in your room and if you do run into him, please act civil.”I was like yes, I will not leave the room. I suppose they were like that because he already had a reputation of being a spoiled brat and they didn’t want to deal with one of his episodes. It was very hard for me to believe what I was hearing about him.
I knew his trainer and Uncle Roger Mayweather (I was his last sparring partner for the Julio Cesar Chavez II at the Forum) and he in my opinion, was one of the classiest champs I ever met. I say that because he was so cool that I asked him if he would come to the LA Golden Gloves to meet and greet the mostly Hispanic public? He said, “yes I’ll be there”. Sure enough, he was there taking pictures with the public, signing autographs and happy as can be with the people. I felt so proud of him. (he left the greatest impression on this teenager) I couldn’t believe the rumors of the tantrums he threw, Everyone is different and I wasn’t facing Roger, I was facing Pretty Boy Floyd. Now during my runs, I would always listen to music, but one in particular form I enjoyed was Opera with Carl Orff. Also, Carmina Burana in Latin and the words were so profound. They explain some things that could apply to what I was living. The press conference was underway and we were staring at each other, but with respect on both sides. When it was my turn to speak, at the podium, I had to say how I thought and believed Sugar Shane Mosley was the best fighter P4P out there. The look Floyd gave me, I thought he almost sprained his neck at listening to hear who I thought was better than him. I then proceeded to address him and gave him a line from this opera song Carmina Burana. I said Floyd “The king sits at the summit, but let him fear ruin as the wheel of fortune turns” and Carlos is here. We smiled for the cameras, shook hands, and headed back to LA.
Ready to win
Training was fierce having numerous sparring partners. One of them you may recall was, Orlando “Siri” Salido. Obviously no one fought like Floyd, but that was the best kind of sparring I could get. Training camp came and went. It was my time to write my own history. The odds were 35 to 1 and the experts said it was likely going to be an easy knockout for Floyd with me not going past the 3rd round. This just fueled my anger. How no one believed I had a chance, but my wife and team including Hall of Fame trainer Amilcar Brusa, who guided the legendary Carlos Monzon’s career. When I entered the arena and walking towards what felt was the lion’s den – the ring, the boos and awful words was such an awesome experience. Having the whole arena cheer for the other guy and boo you is something very humbling and very difficult to write into words, but exhilarating to say the least, When we were face to face I felt I saw though those coffee brown eyes of his and felt that at that moment, he knew I was going to be a difficult task to deal with.
Rounds 1-3 he was going for the knockout, but I made him miss so much that I can’t believe I didn’t get much credit. I made his nose and mouth bleed and miss tremendously. The thing is that in the first round, I received an elbow on the bridge of my nose that with a tap or punch, it started to swell up like a balloon giving the impression I was getting hit a lot. I was relentless! I was not going down and I’m going to win this fight.
In the 6th round, I believed I was going to change the course of Floyd’s story. I raged in like a bull attacking him and after many rounds of trying to get me out of there, I was still coming! I really felt he found a way to give him some time to regroup and see what to do to keep me away since I was going nowhere, but forward towards that title. Mayweather takes the knee after a few pop shots and then complains he hurt his hand. I remember glancing at Arum and if I’m not mistaken, he stood up in disbelief. The prize was so close yet, so far. I had 6 more rounds to go, but after the 8 count, the bell immediately sounds and damn it, I didn’t have time to pressure him. From the 7th round on, it was the Mayweather Marathon. Going back to the beginning of the fight, everyone booed me. Well, the tables started to turn around during the 10th – 12th round. It was like a script from a Rocky movie. At the end of the fight, he was booed and I was cheered, especially when they announced him as the winner. Lots of boos still rang in as he celebrated in the ring. What touched me is that dozens and dozens of his people stayed to get a picture with me or an autograph. It was in inner win for me, especially after mostly everyone had me getting knocked out within in the distance.
Post fight conference
Floyd was very gracious and humble during our post fight conference. In fact, during his speech he called me to the podium to congratulate me for a great performance. I remember thinking it was something he didn’t have to do, but he did and he gave me a hug – addressing me as a true champion that was very courageous. That was nice to say about an opponent. I was happy and became a true fan after that. Not because he gave me an ass whooping, because that wasn’t the case, it was real admiration.
Floyd Mayweather, JR. Today
I think Floyd uses the kind of antics he does to stay in the media constantly and to perpetuate that he is a superstar. If he didn’t, he’d be the highest paid boxer, not the highest paid athlete in the sporting world today!
When my mentor past away a few years ago (Genaro “Chicanito” Hernandez) I got word that Floyd took care of the funeral expenses. Who does that? If he wasn’t a nice guy, he wouldn’t care about helping others. Underneath that facade or bravado is a man with a good heart who really needs a hug. Going back to the title of this story of me facing a brat or legend, I say a man who at times, is hated for his many acts and words, but at the end, has proven to be the best fighter out there. He has a good heart in my book and I am not saying that to kiss his ass! I see him going down in boxing history as an incredible champion, with an amazing record to back it up…..