FLOYD MAYWEATHER, JR: THE P.T. BARNUM OF BOXING
BY STEPHEN S. JOHNSON

(IB-March 4, 2010) P.T. Barnum: "I'm in the business of entertainment. I give people what they want to see and when they want to see it. I want them to go home remembering they saw something they'd never seen before. Along the way they are all just really suckers and there are plenty of suckers. There's one born every minute".

Sound eerily familiar?

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. has obviously studied up on the famous circus and side-show carnival operating genius P.T. Barnum who had no problem in labeling patrons of his weirdness as "suckers".

One can hardly forget the days when such oddities as the "bearded lady" (who could have been seen by many in the female pre-shaving days, the "fire-eating man", the "tattooed lady" and the "Siamese Twins", were just a few of the "freaks" that attracted multitudes. 

What would become known as THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH was a direct result of Barnum's' ability to attract huge crowds to see macabre and even scary, hideous creatures that could in no way be...FAKE?   

In actuality the majority of designated attractions were nothing more than mutations, birth deformities or people who  decided some form of self-mutilation was exciting and/or beautiful. Midgets, dwarfs, two-headed cows and other farm animals garnered as much attention as anything else Barnum instituted in his shows.

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. has not yet resorted to going the route of bringing in carnival attractions to bolster his traveling circus, but he's getting very close.

The "Jerry Springer Show" along with "The Maury Povich Show" are current modern day carnival attractions. There seems to be a never ending thirst to quench from audiences around the world to see odd characters both male and female that provide both comic relief, ridicule and scorn. 

The obviously staged press conference kicking off the hype for the May 1st bout featuring Mayweather, Jr. vs Shane Mosley is a prime example of "Barnumism" or "Mayweatherism" at its' best.

Reporters from around the globe flocked to see Mayweather, Jr. take on the role he so relishes while all in attendance were sometimes hypnotized by the entertainer himself. Most expect these antics to help bolster ticket sales and attract even more interest to a fight that is the 2nd rated in expectations.

Still, the ability to demean, ridicule and embarrass his opponent is what Mayweather, Jr. has perfected. He never allows the attention, for even one second, to waver away from him. He is the consummate "bad guy" in a world and profession that loves the "bad guy".

To add to the "freak show" aspect Mayweather, Jr. maintains, add father Floyd, Sr. along with uncle Roger who both carry the now infamous last name Mayweather. These two can be labeled "major distractions" unlike what Floyd, Jr. would like them to be, "major attractions".    

Being "the star" and only star of the show is what now confronts Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Any number of media types are now clamoring for words from dad Floyd, Sr. and uncle Roger that can only serve as another source of irritation for the ring leading Floyd, Jr.  

But not unlike his idol P.T. Barnum, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. will eradicate attention from both his father and uncle in the coming weeks until fight night. How he does this and when he does this is the next question. Look for the faces of dad and uncle to be less and less visible as time winds down.

When Floyd Mayweather, Jr. seems to brazenly mock his opponent he in turn mocks his sponsors. When he ridicules his opposing fighters' team members he is actually mocking his peers. Making a mockery of both your opponent and your peers convincingly has you mocking all fans of the sport of boxing.

Not Manny Pacquiao, not Joshua Clottey, not Shane Mosley or even Oscar de la hoya can master the ring in such a manner as Floyd Mayweather, Jr. does. He probably talks in his sleep, making him a candidate for his own carnival side-show. I wonder what he says to himself?

Until someone can finally defeat him in the ring, the show will go on and there will be none louder in proclaiming himself "the best" as Floyd Mayweather, Jr. 

Mayweather, Jr. has informed you, the boxing fans, numerous times of his disrespect for not only you but the boxing game. He spews a venom that one usually reserves for his most hated rival. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. carries the chip on his shoulder that reads "I AM KING AND ALL OTHERS ARE SCUM", and yet the majority of you continue to idolize he who respects nothing and no one. 

P.T. Barnum and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. have now seemingly become attached at the hip. They both have been able to master the art of "suckering" in patrons with the idea they may be seeing something so astonishing that their lives will be forever changed.

Nothing could be further from the truth and as with the long gone P.T. Barnum, soon will go away Floyd Mayweather, Jr. It's just a matter of what segment of boxing fans he takes with him.

I'm betting on the group that embodies the phrase "There's one born every minute"...

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