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Pound for pound King Floyd Mayweather Jr. sent a press release earlier today stating that he would retire. He sent this even though he would make millions fighting Oscar de La Hoya. Is it a ploy to get more money out of the proposed De La Hoya fight? Read the letter and decide for yourself.
Dear Media:
It
is with a heavy heart that I write you this message today. I have
decided to permanently retire from boxing. This decision was not an
easy one for me to make as boxing is all I have done since I was a
child. However, these past few years have been extremely difficult for
me to find the desire and joy to continue in the sport. I have said
numerous times and after several of my fights over the past two years
that I might not fight again. At the same time, I loved competing and
winning and also wanted to continue my career for the fans, knowing
they were there for me and enjoyed watching me fight. However, after
many sleepless nights and intense soul-searching I realized I could no
longer base my decision on anything but my own personal happiness,
which I no longer could find. So I have finally made up my mind, spoken
to my family, particularly my mother, and made my decision. I am sorry
I have to leave the sport at this time, knowing I still have my
God-given abilities to succeed and future multi-million dollar paydays
ahead, including the one right around the corner. But there comes a
time when money doesn't matter. I just can't do it anymore. I have
found a peace with my decision that I have not felt in a long time.
Finally, I want to personally thank all of my fans for their loyalty
and dedication as my career comes to a close. I always believed that
their enthusiasm and support helped carry me to victory with every
fight I ever had. It was a great joy to have fought for all of you. Now
I hope you understand my decision and wish me well with the rest of my
life.
And as for De La Hoya, where does he go from here? Gold Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schafer reportedly wished Floyd well in retirement and that Golden Boy Promotions will announce Oscar's opponent in the next week.
There are a few options out there for Oscar, but none that would bring the type of money a second fight with Floyd would generate. And would Oscar want to risk fighting someone else in the interim?
Its a bold move by the Mayweather camp, time will tell if Golden Boy can lure him out with more cash.
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