UNFORGIVABLE BLACKNESS OR UNYIELDING CONFIDENCE?
New York, NY– Controversy is nothing new for boxing as every so often in the sport of boxing there is a fighter that comes along who is as controversial as he is talented. Of course there have always been superb talents in the prizefighting but very few have summoned both scorn and admiration the way Floyd Mayweather Jr. (41-0 25 KOs) has done in only a few years.
THIS THREESOME DREW PLENTY OF HATE
On the short list of athletes who have formerly occupied the pariah/hero perch in the sport, the names of heavyweight champions Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali and Jack Johnson come to mind. And while we can’t ignore race, it’s obviously not the only factor that made people hate these men. It’s my opinion that race certainly plays a part but there is also much more. And the other reasons go far beyond what is seen on the surface of the skin.
THE PART THAT RACE DOESN’T PLAY
In our society it’s common that overconfidence can make a guy come off as a prick or a jerk. Just think about the countless movies, which featured high school bullies or arrogant jocks as the agitator to the main character. Nobody really likes these guys and we comfortably accept them as the first to die when Michael Myers or Jason breaks the hinges loose on the door. Personality almost certainly goes beyond race in the context of public relations. The fact that some black people dislike Floyd Mayweather is enough evidence to prove this point. Surely, a boxing fan wouldn’t naturally hate a fighter that looks like himself? In fact most boxing fans of any race will react in a way that is the exact opposite.
THE PART RACE DOES PLAY
Although I see this as a fading viewpoint in my surroundings, the reality is that some people have preconceived notions of how a black man should act in this country. Generally, this is non-threatening. In a society that has traditionally been majority Caucasian, a guy like Floyd naturally plays well into a role as an agitator given his tremendous talent, boldness and lack of compromise or humility.
FLOYD POURS GASOLINE ON IMAGE
His somewhat stereotypical imagery (almost resembling a rapper or thug) also turns some off. And being that some of this comes from black culture just makes it easier for some to hate him rather than to try to understand him. He’s just not someone the majority of people in this society can understand because he’s not portraying a reality they can identify with or accept. When you add this to additional historical cynicism towards blacks it becomes a combustible equation for some to express vitriol although it’s not politically correct for some to say how they really feel.
SO WHAT IS IT ABOUT FLOYD?
In the sports world confidence and talent is an athlete’s greatest asset because without it he’s simply another extra in a ‘movie’ that will play over with or without him having a starring role. So in the sport of boxing, believing in one’s self and accomplishing unmatched goals allows fans to believe in and support their athlete’s ability even with emotional risk. For those who don’t understand Floyd, they’ve emotionally invested in his failure. For those who do, they’ve emotionally invested in his success.
ANTI-FLOYD FOLKS HAVE NEVER CELEBRATED!
Race naturally plays into this argument because it is also tied to culture here in America. But as America is a melting pot, so are our perceptions and understandings. The real truth in what makes many of Floyd’s haters not like him is his inability to have been even partially conquered despite how they feel. This is what really rubs people the wrong way. Floyd has been right and he simply has proven his detractors wrong again and again. And honestly, no one likes to be wrong especially when they hate what’s right.
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Jarrad Woods