Floyd Mayweather believes there is a definite doping problem in boxing and is focused on cleaning up the sport now he resides on the safe side of the ropes.
Mayweather called time on his sparkling career after beating Andre Berto in September to move his undefeated record level with Rocky Marciano at 49-0.
It is widely expected that his ‘retirement’, the third time he has supposedly hung up his gloves, was just posturing to ensure that his comeback, for that fabled 50-0, would be as money-spinning as possible.
However, Mayweather has remained true to his word and insists he is not even thinking about a comeback.
Instead he has embarked on a worldwide tour which has included a series of fans’ Q&A sessions across England where guests can pay for the pleasure of having their photograph taken with him.
He is also maintaining his new career as a promoter of his Money Team stable while, he says, making up for lost time as a father to his four children Koraun, Iyanna, Jirah and Zion.
Mr @FloydMayweather talks to me tonight in London about @AshleyTheophane world title vs @AdrienBroner pic.twitter.com/XpK2Y7PUQ6
— Gareth A Davies (@GarethADaviesDT) February 4, 2016
Now Mayweather has revealed a fresh focus for his retirement after admitting that he believes there is a major drug problem in boxing.
When asked if he believes that doping goes on in boxing, he responded: “Oh absolutely… absolutely yes.
“Cheating goes on in boxing, cheating goes on in a lot of different sports. But that’s why I’m on the outside now, to help clean the sport up.
“As of right now, boxing is really not my focus… boxing is my focus but on the outside.”
The 38-year-old five-division world champion came under fire himself when it was alleged that he took an intravenous injection of saline and vitamins that was banned under World Anti-Doping Agency guidelines on the eve of his 2015 megafight with Manny Pacquiao.
However, three weeks after the fight, Mayweather received an exemption from the United States Anti-Doping Agency but the story put drug-testing procedures surrounding boxing more fiercely under the microscope.
Famously, Mayweather’s demands for random, Olympic-style drug testing reportedly put paid to a proposed fight with Pacquiao way back in 2010.
The American had claimed that Pacquiao’s refusal to agree to give blood 30 days prior to the fight was because the Filipino was using performance-enhancing drugs.
Mayweather added: “When I talked about those things they called me a coward, they said I was a chicken but the only thing I wanted to do, I wanted every fighter, not just myself, to be on an even playing field.
“I wanted the best to fight the best but it needs to be fair, that’s what it’s about – being fair.”
Mayweather also insisted that he does not miss boxing despite nearly a life time of competition.
Instead he is attempting to make up for lost time as a father after conceding that his boxing career impacted on his private life.
“I don’t really miss it,” he said. “I fought for 37 years.
“I’m just happy to be back in the UK – not fighting. I’m meeting the fans, shaking hands and signing autographs, eating dinner, walking around and showing love to the fans that have embraced me for so many years.
“I don’t miss the gym – I’m happy that I’m not training. I’m happy to just be at home resting, I’m happy to just be at home with my children. This time in my children’s life is very, very valuable. I have three children that are about to go to college really soon so that’s very important for me now.
“I missed a lot of valuable time where I could have been spending time with my children because I gave boxing my whole life. But it’s never too late. I love my children and I have a very, very close relationship with my children and the only thing I can do is learn and get better.”
For the first time since 2011, Mayweather will not be boxing on the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo, which he famously labelled ‘Cinqo de Mayweather’ due to his regular appearance on that weekend.
Instead, Amir Khan and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez will have top billing on that date in Las Vegas as they clash in the new T-Mobile Arena just off the Strip in Sin City on May 7.
But Mayweather refused to comment on the showdown between Khan, who has chased him for years, and Canelo, who he soundly beat in September 2013.
“Is it a great fight? I can’t really say,” he added.
“I don’t really focus on that – I wish every fighter the best. I don’t try to focus on that. Those guys are young, strong and hungry and I wish all fighters nothing but the best.”
