Earlier today, Floyd Mayweather Jr. got into an impromptu and heated debate about his boxing career with rapper R.A. the Rugged Man during an appearance on satellite radio station Shade 45. An avid follower of boxing, R.A., who recently signed a book deal that will be co-authored by Ring Magazine's Doug Fischer, wasted no time in calling out Mayweather's selection of opponents over the past few years and questioning the merits of Floyd's victories.
Boxing fans will no doubt appreciate The Rugged Man's line of questioning as he echoed the sentiments of many of the sport's faithful, lettting Floyd know that although his skills are great, his selection of opposition has left something to be desired. Applying the pressure outside the ropes, no punches were pulled by the Long Island emcee, who wasn't afraid to get loud with Mayweather, putting the flashy and flamboyant undefeated champion in his place. Check out an excerpt of their conversation:
R.A.: So Floyd, When you gonna fight somebody your own size in the top two?
FM: I mean, that's not up to me. That's up to...
R.A.: (Cuttin in) Yes it is. If you want to be great, don't you have to fight the best?
FM: Listen, listen, boxing doesn't work like that...
R.A.: (Cutting in) It did when Sugar Ray Robinson was fighting.
FM: Well guess what? Boxing has changed and...
R.A.: (Cutting in) Only because of you. I think the world wants to see you fight the best fighters on the planet at your own size.
FM: Listen, I want to fight Miguel Cotto, but guess what. Miguel Cotto is with Bob Arum. Bob Arum doesn't want to do business with Floyd Mayweather. This is a promoter that I used to be with, so for starters, you gotta learn the business. Pacquiao, his promoter is Bob Arum, so Bob Arum is putting Miguel Cotto and Pacquiao together to keep the money within their circle, if you understand the sport of boxing.
R.A.: So what's been going on in the last seven...
FM: Baldomir was the undisputed welterweight champion, so what are you talking about?
R.A.: Come on man. Baldomir with 11 losses and...
FM: You just said it wasn't about losses. Now it's about losses. Which one, is it about losses or it's not about losses? Which one?
R.A.: Okay, how about this, why didn't you fight Margarito when you were offered 8 million to fight him?
FM: Why would I fight Margarito for 8 million dollars when I got 12 million and I was fighting for the title?
R.A.: Who were you fighting for 12 million? Who'd you really fight for 12 million? I don't believe that. That's a lie.
FM: They asked me to fight Margarito, but then they brought Baldomir to the table. Once again, Bob Arum said he'd give me 8 million. They brought Baldomir to the table and offered me 12 million, so what are you talking about?
R.A.: You didn't get 12 million. You fought Sharmba Mitchell for 4 1/2.
FM: No I did not fight Sharmba Mitchell; I fought Sharmba Mitchell back in the day and I didn't get 4 1/2. I got 8 million to fight Sharmba Mitchell, so what are you talking about?
R.A.: So why don't you want to fight...
FM: (Cutting in) I'm not duckin' and dodgin' nobody.
R.A.: Yes you are.
FM: You don't hear Miguel Cotto calling me out. You don't hear Pacquiao calling me out.
R.A.: Oh, they'd all love to fight you. Sugar Shane's calling you out. Paul Williams would spank your ass.
There were moments in the conversation when the tension could be cut with the proverbial knife as Mayweather was clearly rattled and frustrated. With no solid answers for the questions, Money May responded in his customary fashion, bragging about his financial accomplishments, boasting about his unblemished boxing record and once again proclaiming himself to be the greatest fighter that ever lived. If you thought his sparring sessions with Brian Kenny were entertaining, you don't want to miss this clash as R.A. dominates Mayweather just as easily as Mayweather dominated Marquez.
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