Mayweather values 'currency over legacy' after exhibition criticism

Floyd Mayweather hits back at criticism of his exhibition fights after taking home £25MILLION for facing YouTuber Deji, but denies he is doing them because of financial problems… insisting he could ‘live a great life’ if he never fought again

  • Floyd Mayweather has been criticised after his exhibition with YouTuber Deji 
  • Mayweather did not take the fight seriously at all, but still pocketed $30m
  • He has been accused of ‘ruining the sport to pay his unpaid taxes’ by Jake Paul
  • Mayweather has denied this is the case, but now values ‘currency over legacy’
  • He has insisted he could ‘live a great life’ if he never stepped in the ring again 

Floyd Mayweather has defended his exhibition bouts by declaring that he now cares about ‘currency over legacy’ after he received criticism for his fight with YouTuber Deji on Sunday.

The bout in Dubai saw farcical scenes, with Mayweather dancing, constantly talking to his opponent and even holding up ring cards in between rounds. This all came after the fight started late, drawing boos from the crowd, with Jake Paul claiming that Mayweather refused to do his ring walk until he had left the venue.

Mayweather eventually forced a stoppage in the sixth round, with the referee jumping in despite Deji appearing to not be in a great deal of trouble. Paul hit out at Mayweather afterwards, accusing him of ‘ruining the sport to pay his unpaid taxes’.

Floyd Mayweather stopped Deji in an exhibition bout, but did not take the fight seriously at all

Jake Paul thinks Mayweather’s exhibition fights are ‘ruining the sport’ and he is only doing them to ‘pay his unpaid taxes’

Mayweather has denied that he is battling with financial issues, but has admitted that he wants to keep making money after receiving a reported $30m (£25m) for his latest exhibition.  

‘A lot of time people say, ‘Oh, Floyd have to do exhibitions’, Mayweather said in his post-fight press conference. ‘My philosophy is never stop getting it (money).

‘Currency over legacy. Currency over legacy.’

‘Believe me, if I don’t ever do another exhibition in my life, I can live a great life.’

Mayweather ended his professional career in 2017 with an unbeaten record of 50-0, and is widely regarded as the finest boxer of his generation.

Mayweather reportedly earned $30m for the Deji exhibition, and has said he values ‘currency over legacy’

He also became a PPV star during the final decade of his career, changing his moniker from ‘Pretty Boy’ to ‘Money’, as he won high-profile fights against Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Canelo Alvarez and Manny Pacquiao.

The Pacquiao fight in 2015 broke box office records and earned him a reported $300m, while he then went on to face Conor McGregor in a huge crossover clash two years later.

The 45-year-old has not had a competitive fight since, but has engaged in a number of exhibition bouts in recent years, including against Logan Paul.

He may have received some criticism for his fight with Deji, but the former five-weight world champion seems to have no intention of hanging up his gloves just yet when there is money on the line, even if it potentially damages his legacy.




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