With a guaranteed $41.5 million in his pocket -- and the potential to top $100 million -- for running a 12-round clinic on Saul "Canelo" Alvarez this past weekend (Sat., Sept. 14, 2013), Floyd Mayweather Jr., 36, is looking to the future.
And it includes mixed martial arts (MMA).
In addition to being the top pound-for-pound boxer on the planet, Mayweather is a businessman, promoting various fighters such as Mickey Bey Jr. and Ishe Smith, among others, through Mayweather Promotions. Mayweather's adviser, Al Haymon, is responsible for managing his stable of talent, which he intends to augment with a new breed of fighter in the near future.
"Money" revealed his MMA plan to FightHype.com earlier this afternoon:
"I want to promote MMA fighters also. We are looking to promote MMA fighters, so it's the first time you're hearing it ... Al Haymon is looking to manage MMA fighters. Even though Al Haymon hasn't came on record and said it, but I want Al to manage MMA fighters. I think I can take it to the next level."
Of course, Mayweather seemingly wouldn't wade carefully into any venture, leaping right into the deep end because, well, he has the financial resources and unrivaled cache to compete at the highest level straight out of that gate. And the "highest level" of MMA is clearly Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
It's apparently already a warm relationship that could ensure his future MMA endeavor hits the ground running.
He explains:
"I don't mind doing business with Dana White. Dana White's a cool guy. I've been knowing Dana before he got involved with the MMA."
White was in attendance for Mayweather's recent performance at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada (full results stream here), even breaking down the main event (watch video here) like only he can ... at the top of his lungs. Considering Mayweather has no clue who former Middleweight champion Anderson Silva is (more details here), "Money" is also probably unaware that White once referred to his comments as "racist," branding him a "knucklehead" and a "dummy."
His manager, Leonard Ellerbe, fired back in a fury, telling White to "shut the fuck up" and to stop "under paying" his fighters, who seemingly can't hold a candle to the premium boxing paydays.
Mayweather Promotions and UFC negotiations ... sounds like an MMA match made in hell.