FightHype.com

LEONARD ELLERBE: "I CAN'T COMPARE PACQUIAO TO MARQUEZ"

By Percy Crawford | June 04, 2009
LEONARD ELLERBE:

"Floyd is fighting Marquez and styles make fights so I can't compare Pacquiao to Marquez because Floyd hasn't fought Pacquiao. One thing I do know is Marquez is pound-for-pound one of the top two fighters in the world and has been for quite some time. He's beaten a lot of very, very good fighters and right now, he's the best Mexican fighter in the world and his whole country is behind himÂ… Floyd's not going anywhere. We're going to line these guys up one by one, but he can't fight them all in one night," stated Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, as he talked about Mayweather upcoming clash with Juan Manuel Marquez, his thoughts on Shane Mosley's recent comments regarding Floyd and much, much more. Check it out!

PC: The last time we spoke, you were saying you were surprised that Marquez called out Mayweather after his win against Juan Diaz. Could you elaborate a little more?

LE: Yeah, I was actually very shocked that he called out Floyd, but he is a great warrior that has took on many challenges in his career and this is just another one. He stepped up to the plate and come July 18th, him and Floyd are going to put on an excellent fight for the fans.

PC: No doubt. I've read where some feel Marquez could be a tougher fight for Floyd than Pacquiao. Would you agree with that statement?

LE: Floyd is fighting Marquez and styles make fights so I can't compare Pacquiao to Marquez because Floyd hasn't fought Pacquiao. One thing I do know is Marquez is pound-for-pound one of the top two fighters in the world and has been for quite some time. He's beaten a lot of very, very good fighters and right now, he's the best Mexican fighter in the world and his whole country is behind him.

PC: Brian Kenny was making the argument that Shane Mosley was a bigger draw than Marquez, which is a tough argument for Kenny. I know you have a plan for Floyd, both inside and outside of the ring. Where is Shane Mosley on Floyd's radar?

LE: I have a great deal of respect for Shane Mosley. He's had an outstanding career and he's one of the most likeable people you will ever meet in the sport of boxing, but his comments to Brian Kenny were just another example of why he's delusional and doesn't have a clue to what market value is all about. In his interview with ESPN, he mentions his fight with Margarito had well over 20,000 fans, which was the biggest sellout ever at Staples Center and they did a $1.5 million live gate, which is true, but he fails to mention that anyone with any common sense knows that the Latinos comprise the vast majority of the population in East LA and they were there supporting Margarito. Also, I was sitting ringside at the Mayorga fight at the Home Depot Center, which is Shane's backyard, and there were less than 4,000 fans there and they did a $500,000 live gate and he was the headliner on the HBO card. The only other time I can remember where he was the A-side of anything was the Collazo fight, where once again, there were less than 5,000 fans there at the Mandalay Bay and he did another $500,000 live gate. So three of his last four fights, the live gate has totaled under $4 million, with the other fight being the Cotto fight at MSG and we all know who the A-side was in that fight. So what is he talking about being an attraction? Truth be told, the main reason why his fight purses in his last two fights have totaled about $4 million is because he's not an attraction. These are the facts and as one of Floyd's business representatives, that's all we can deal with are the irrefutable facts. He's made the worst business decisions of any elite fighter arguably in the last 10 years when it has comes to his career. Whether it be turning his boss down in a third fight for $10 million after beating him twice, going to fight Winky Wright in back-to-back fights for a little over $5 million or having an opportunity to fight Floyd in November 2006 for a career payday, $8 million, but instead he chose to get dental work done and take a family vacation after coming off a tremendous performance in the Vargas fight. Just a couple years ago after losing to Winky twice, he was fighting on an ESPN undercard and from there, an HBO undercard fight on Barrera's show. These are just a few examples of why he is very bitter and jealous of Floyd. He is truly a great fighter, who will eventually get his opportunity, but attempting to disrespect Floyd is not going to get it done. Floyd's not going anywhere. We're going to line these guys up one by one, but he can't fight them all in one night. To make these mega-fights, it always takes both fighters to bring something to the table. Shane recently said he wanted to fight Mayweather at 50/50; this is the main reason why I think he's delusional. That's why he's out there making these desperate attempts of calling out fighters at this point of his career, because he has no leverage. Percy, this is the same guy who says he won't fight Paul Williams because he brings nothing to the table. Floyd has worked his way from the bottom to the top with a lot of hard work, inside and outside the ring, to put himself in this position to be the top dog.  Shane can fool some of the media, but he's not going to fool the fans.

PC: Mosley usually won't pop off like that. I was kind of shocked to see him do some trash talking.

LE: He's a super nice dude who was totally out of his element trash talking, especially when he didn't know what he was talking about.  He made a couple of foolish comments about Floyd needing money and that they can make money together if they fight. Last I checked, Floyd made more in his last two fights than Shane has made in his entire career and that's a fact.

PC:  Is there any truth to the rumor about Floyd signing a five-fight deal with Golden Boy?

LE:  No, there's no truth to that rumor Percy. Floyd is signed to Mayweather Promotions.  We have a great relationship with Golden Boy and will continue to work with them in the future because they are the best in the business and we really enjoy working with Richard and Oscar and their entire staff. They have great global vision, which is truly refreshing.



[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]

MARCH 28, 2024
MARCH 25, 2024
MARCH 21, 2024
MARCH 18, 2024
MARCH 17, 2024
MARCH 14, 2024
MARCH 12, 2024
MARCH 11, 2024
MARCH 07, 2024
MARCH 04, 2024
FEBRUARY 29, 2024
FEBRUARY 27, 2024
FEBRUARY 22, 2024
FEBRUARY 19, 2024
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
FEBRUARY 12, 2024
FEBRUARY 08, 2024
FEBRUARY 05, 2024
FEBRUARY 01, 2024
JANUARY 31, 2024
JANUARY 30, 2024
JANUARY 29, 2024
JANUARY 25, 2024
JANUARY 22, 2024
JANUARY 18, 2024
JANUARY 15, 2024