Floyd Mayweather Speaks On Racism In Boxing

Racism is still alive and well and according to Floyd Mayweather, very obvious in boxing. In a recent interview with Fight Hype, the retired champion discussed The Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound rankings which saw Andre Ward placed at number 4, a standing Mayweather considers unfair because Ward has yet to lose a fight.

“I can’t believe they [Ring Magazine] got Andre Ward ranked number four in the pound-for-pound list,” he said. “Even though the guy that’s ranked number one pound-for-pound right now, you know, you can’t argue about that, but without Andre Ward losing a fight, he has to be number two.”

Holding the top spot instead is Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, an undefeated Nicaraguan fighter who, out of 44 fights has won 38 by knockout. Following Gonzalez is Sergey Kovalev and Gennady Golovkin who hail from Russia and Kazakstan respectively. Golovkin, the number three pick, has an impressive 34-0-0 record, and Kovalev, who sits at number two on the list, has 28 wins (25 by knockout) and one draw. Ward, however, has secured wins in all 28 of his fights, 15 of which came via knockout. Still, the California native occupies the fourth slot which leads Mayweather to believe that racism played a part in Ward’s positioning.

“I mean, he wins his fights not in good fashion, but in great fashion, and they have him at number 4? They got some guy ranked number 9, I don’t really know his full name, so I don’t want to be disrespectful, but they got a Japanese guy ranked number 9,” he said. “They got Andre Ward number 4, and this guy that’s ranked number nine, we don’t even know who he is. I truly believe that racism still exists in the sport of boxing.”