"These are all the things that I done as an amateur that prepared me for the big level," stated undefeated multi-division champion Floyd Mayweather as he discussed a number of opportunities he experienced throughout his career that have helped him reach the elite level of boxing. Born into a family of boxers and groomed for success at an early age, Mayweater was afforded opportunities that most amateurs never get. "I used to box with my uncle Jeff, I used to box my dad, I used to box my uncle Roger, I used to box all the professionals in the gym; that's how I got good. Ever since I've been an amateur, I always boxed professionals."
Being able to step into the ring with professionals at such an early age allowed Mayweather to hone his skills against some of the top boxers in the sport. "My daddy taught me everything. You know, being around boxing, boxing Pernell Whitaker when I was an amateur before, and boxing Frankie Randall, and just different stuff like that," Mayweather recalled. "You know, they took me to a professional Don King training camp when I was only 17 years old, and being at the training camp boxing professionals, just stuff like that, you know? I was like, 'Man, this is unbelievable.'"
One experience that Mayweather holds in high regard was the time when, at the age of 17, he was able to work with Frankie Randall shortly after his victory over Julio Cesar Chavez. "I knew when I boxed Frankie Randall, I could really get the best of him, but I didn't want to because I knew that he would send me home. I didn't want him to send me home. I wanted to keep my friendship with him. You know, I was boxing Frankie Randall when he had beat Cavez," Mayweather would explain. "When I boxed him, I wouldn't box him hard. I was only 125 pounds; I was only like 17 or 18 years old, but I was like, 'I'm gonna take it easy on him because I want to keep hanging with him.' Because he was cool, you know? He took me to buy me some Versace glasses because I beat him in a bet. We was hangin' out. We was cool, going to clubs together."
Working with Frankie Randall was just one of many experiences that not only helped Mayweather's technical skills, but also shaped his own personality as a prize fighter. "Frankie Randall treated me nice, you know, let me stay at house. He stayed on a golf course. His wife treated me nice. He a good dude; I'll never forget him," he added. "I boxed with Pernell; good work, you know, it was good work. And just going to Evander Holyfield's house, these are all the things that I done as an amateur that prepared me for the big level."
Raised in a family of professional boxers, Mayweather has been fortunate enough to spend his entire life surrounded by some of the top boxers in the sport. As they say, practice makes perfect and given the opportunity to spend time with the likes of Frankie Randall, Pernell Whitaker and Evander Holyfield, it's no wonder why Mayweather has reached the pinnacle of boxing.
[ Follow Ben Thompson on Twitter @fighthype ]