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Boos all around for Floyd

Floyd Mayweather had an easy time with Carlos Baldomir on Saturday night, shutting the Argentinian out as many expected. HBO commentator Larry Merchant was a little tougher for Pretty Boy.

By JOHN C. COTEY
Published November 8, 2006

Floyd Mayweather had an easy time with Carlos Baldomir on Saturday night, shutting the Argentinian out as many expected. HBO commentator Larry Merchant was a little tougher for Pretty Boy. Mayweather was flawless in the ring but left himself open afterward by calling his performance "pleasing."

Merchant: You often talk about boxing as entertainment ... but do you think this was particularly entertaining? I mean, there were people booing, there were people leaving after the 10th and 11th round. And since you brought the subject up, I want your response.

Mayweather: Well, you know, you always give me a hard time. You don't ever give me the credit I deserve.

Merchant: You got a shutout. We all gave you credit for that.

Mayweather: Yeah, but you'll never give me the credit I really deserve. You stick to commentating and let me do the fighting. I'm the best at what I do ... you can learn boxing from Pretty Boy Floyd. You just a commentator. Stick to commentating.

Merchant: That's exactly what I'm doing and I'm asking you the question.

Mayweather: It's like this. Don't always be a critic and so negative, be positive. I got the victory tonight so all you can do is respect me for that. Every time a fighter comes out there, I know you keep your fingers crossed. You hoping and wishing that a fighter could beat me. I'm king of the throne and I'm here to stay ... you always talk, let me do the talking sometime ... Larry Merchant is just a commentator, he don't know nothing about boxing.

A fantastic finish

WBO heavyweight champion Sergei Liakhovich and challenger Shannon Briggs lulled fans to sleep for 35 minutes and 30 seconds Saturday, but then delivered a thrilling 30-second finale to their title fight.

All Liakhovich had to do in the 12th round was stay on his feet to win. If he was knocked down once, resulting in 10-8 scores on each judge's card, he would still win. Knocked down twice and losing 10-7 on every card? He'd retain his title by draw.

So what does he do?

:33 left: Staggered by Briggs right.

:30: Knocked down by Briggs right .

15: Takes a right hand to head, another to the body to sends him to the ropes.

:10: Leans back as Briggs misses two short rights.

:05: Liakhovich leans so far back, he goes through the ropes.

:01: Liakhovich lands on scorer's table, referee calls off fight, and Briggs is the new WBO champion.

Good news for Wright

Oscar De La Hoya said he was so appalled by Mayweather's postfight interview and by disgruntled fans, he no longer wants to fight him. Negotiating tool? Absolutely. Hope for St. Petersburg's Winky Wright, who wants De La Hoya? Maybe. ... No. 1 lightheavyweight contender Stipe Drews has reportedly pulled out of his Dec. 2 fight with No. 3 Chad Dawson, who trains in St. Petersburg with Dan Birmingham.

The verdict: Boxers, maybe more than other athletes, have a problem with people who never boxed commenting on their sport. But when former boxers get their chance, all they do is fawn over their brethren (see Jones, Roy). Merchant asks the tough questions, and rightfully called Mayweather on his claim that Saturday's fight was entertaining. Instead of defending his statement, Mayweather went into attack mode. He loves to talk about his superstar status, but many of the 9,000 at his fight left early, booing. Those are just facts. Mayweather may be great and his performance Saturday masterful, but entertaining? Nah. Merchant by unanimous decision.

John C. Cotey can be reached at (727) 869-6261 or cotey@sptimes.com.

[Last modified November 8, 2006, 10:03:54]