DETROIT (AP) — It’s Showtime in more ways than one for Floyd Mayweather Jr., who said Thursday he is excited about both a weekend fight he’s promoting as well as his lucrative new deal with the CBS-owned network.
Mayweather, who was in Detroit for a news conference ahead of Saturday’s junior middleweight title bout between Cornelius “K9” Bundrage and Ishe Smith, likened his Showtime agreement to a matrimonial modification.
“I got a divorce,” a smiling Mayweather said of leaving HBO, his longtime television home. “I’m married again.”
“I couldn’t have asked for a better deal,” he said.
The sport’s biggest star and moneymaker announced Tuesday that he’ll fight Robert Guerrero on May 4 on Showtime, a move that shook up the boxing universe. Mayweather’s move is a coup for Showtime, which long has trailed HBO in boxing prominence.
Mayweather (43-0, 26 KOs) said his new revenue-sharing deal could include up to six pay-per-view bouts over 30 months, a much faster pace than to which he’s become accustomed.
The 147-pound champion, who hasn’t fought since beating Miguel Cotto on May 5, has fought just four times since December 2007.
“The fans want to see a lot more of me,” Mayweather told reporters at the MGM Grand Detroit. “I will give you excitement.”
Mayweather, who turns 36 on Sunday, was there to support Saturday’s card at the nearby Masonic Temple Theatre as well as Smith, his friend and sparring partner from Las Vegas, who is vying for his first-ever professional title.
Mayweather, who grew up in Grand Rapids, Mich., said he began training for the Guerrero fight Wednesday by running in the gym of Ottawa Hills High School in his hometown.
“This is a guy I know I can’t overlook,” Mayweather said of Guerrero (31-1-1, 18 KOs), the WBC’s interim welterweight champion.
He promised an entertaining fight against Guerrero.
“It’s Showtime, baby,” he said.
(Photo: AP)
