Other Sport
Mayweather eyes fight in SA
2011-03-01 21:30
Las Vegas - Unbeaten US boxer Floyd Mayweather, who is facing felony charges that could result in 34 years behind bars, is talking about staging a fight in South Africa in July, his uncle Jeff says.
Jeff Mayweather, a former fighter himself, told the website www.fighthype.com his nephew was in talks with the family of Nelson Mandela about a possible fight around the time of Mandela's 93rd birthday on July 18.
Having Floyd Mayweather, 41-0 with 25 knockouts, fight anywhere has become a rare event. His last bout was 10 months ago when he won a unanimous decision over Shane Mosley, who will fight Filipino star Manny Pacquiao on May 7.
Floyd Mayweather's only other fight since December of 2007 was a 2009 decision over Juan Manuel Marquez that ended an 18-month hiatus from the ring.
Fight fans have dreamed of a Pacquiao-Mayweather showdown, although it is unlikely "Pretty Boy Floyd" would take on such a fight in South Africa after a layoff and that Pacquiao would return to the ring so soon to meet Mayweather.
A fight in South Africa in July could set the stage for a possible November or December fight against Pacquiao.
"I know he is talking to Nelson Mandela's daughter," Jeff Mayweather said. "Of course, in the midst of that, they are also trying to make the fight between Floyd and Manny."
Mayweather, who turned 34 last Thursday, also faces two court fights in Las Vegas, the most serious of which is a domestic violence case.
Mayweather faces an evidence hearing next week on charges that he struck and threatened former girlfriend Josie Harris, stole her telephone and threatened two of their children in an incident last September.
In an unrelated case, Mayweather faces charges of poking a security guard in the face during a scuffle in November over parking tickets issued to vehicles around Mayweather's home in a private neighborhood. That trial will not start until April 25 at the earliest.
Pacquiao, 52-3 with two draws and 38 knockouts, will try and make Mosley, 46-6 with one draw and 39 knockouts, his 14th victim in a row over a six-year unbeaten run.