The Mayweather family fractures, and then it heals. The bonds of nearly a half-century can be severed with one argument, and they can stay broken for years before they’re restored almost by accident.
The dynamics of boxing’s first family might not make much sense to some people outside the clan of Floyd Mayweather Jr, but the undefeated pro thinks plenty of families can relate exactly to the roller-coaster ride of emotions that go along with being a Mayweather.
“What’s important is that we’re together now,” Mayweather said. “It doesn’t matter what people think. That’s private. We’re strong as a family.”
PHOTO: AFP
Mayweather (39-0, 25 KOs) was estranged for most of the past nine years from his father, Floyd Sr, who first taught his toddler to punch and later drove his early career.
Mayweather Jr then rose to the sport’s apex under the direction of his uncle, Roger, who has his own slate of issues with his nephew and siblings — and the occasional battery charge.
But in the months leading up to Mayweather Jr’s comeback fight against Juan Manuel Marquez today, the father and son reunited. Floyd Sr now joins Roger in the gym, eager to add his two cents on Little Floyd’s training.
The reconciliation is a clear thrill for the father, who trained Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton in recent years while shut out from his son.
“We’ve been having a good, warm relationship, just like it’s supposed to be,” Mayweather Sr said. “I get to see him in the gym. I get to spend time with my grandbabies. I just enjoy myself, going over to his house and being around our family.”
The happy family seemingly beat longer odds than what Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KOs) faces today.
After years of silence, punctuated by public sniping and an occasional reconciliation-gone-bad, things got so tense that Mayweather Sr tentatively agreed to train De La Hoya for a rematch against his son that was scrapped by Floyd Jr’s retirement. Floyd Jr was also upset last year when Roger agreed to train Steve Forbes, threatening to fire his uncle before Jeff Mayweather — the soft-spoken third brother — took over Forbes’ training.
Floyd Jr is reluctant to discuss what brought father and son back together this year, but most boxing people believe a family friend tricked the two into a reconciliatory meeting. Floyd Sr says he doesn’t even know how it happened, but he’s enjoying the chance to be close to his son’s development again.
“My dad, he’s a great trainer,” Mayweather Jr said. “It’s good having him in a boxing gym. We compete at a few things: Jumping rope, hand flips, things like that. I’m glad to have my father back in my life.”
Floyd Sr doesn’t shy from suggestions he would like to play a larger role in his son’s training, which he briefly did two years ago while Roger was jailed, but Floyd Jr knows he owes much of his success to Roger. The uncle realizes his job with Floyd Jr is largely maintenance at this point: He keeps his nephew’s reflexes in top shape and reminds Floyd Jr of what he already knows he needs to do.
The Mayweather family intends to celebrate Floyd Jr’s latest victory on Sunday at his huge new desert mansion. Floyd Sr will pay special attention to Kouran Mayweather, Floyd Jr’s 10-year-old son, who’s becoming enamored with the family business.
“If he wants to fight, his granddaddy is going to show him what time it is,” Floyd Sr said with a grin.
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