Floyd Mayweather’s retirement to be documented in reality series

FOLLOWING the official announcement of Floyd Mayweather’s retirement, the undefeated boxer is already looking for new ways to keep the money rolling in.

LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 09: Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. speaks during a news conference at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on September 9, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather will defend his WBC/WBA welterweight titles against Andre Berto on September 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

FOLLOWING Floyd Mayweather’s 12-round dominance over Andre Berto at the MGM Grand, the 49-0 champ has officially announced his retirement from professional boxing.

But the man who calls himself “Money” has already begun looking into avenues to keep his nickname truthful long after his boxing career is over.

The 38-year-old has been in talks with US broadcaster Showtime’s boxing head Stephen Espinoza about the possibility of creating a reality television series showcasing Mayweather’s training and life after professional boxing, centred around the Mayweather Boxing Club.

“We’ve had talks about an ‘All-Access’ or another ‘Access’ series around him and the family and the cast of characters,” Espinoza told New York Daily News.

“It’s fascinating — whether Floyd is in there sparring or not the Mayweather Boxing Club is a fascinating place, from the security guys who have become personalities themselves, to the random people who wander in and out to the wide range of boxers from recent Russian immigrants, from Gervonta Davis from Baltimore (an 11-0 prospect) to guys who grew up here in Vegas — it’s an interesting mix. You get a little bit of everything if you’re in Floyd’s world.”

A reality series would follow on from the channel’s all-access shows they run prior to all of Mayweather’s fights.

Mayweather has said his fight with Andre Berto will be his last.

Espinoza also said there was a possibility for Mayweather to take up boxing commentary as he takes a step back from competing.

“At the end of his career if he wants to roll as a commentator, I can’t think of any boxing fan who wouldn’t want to tune in just to get his take on things,” Espinoza said.

“He obviously sees things in a different way both with respect to boxing and non-boxing and I think he would be a really interesting asset for us as well.”

However despite Showtime’s eagerness to involve Mayweather in their future programming at all costs, both the potential reality show and a career in commentary are simple speculation as they stand currently.

“The same way he takes one fight at a time, he hasn’t really thought about post-retirement plans too much and probably won’t do that until he gets there,” Espinoza said.

Finishing his last fight in style, Floyd made short work of Andre Berto in a one-sided 12-round decision.

Both dominant and defensive, Mayweather used all the tricks learned in a 19-year pro career to take a 12-round decision victory over Berto and retain his welterweight titles in what he insists was his final fight.

Mayweather’s experience was simply too much for Berto to handle.

Mayweather ran his perfect record to 49-0, tying a mark set by the late heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano, in a fight where he was chased but never really tested. He piled up points with a sharp jab and quick counter punches, leaving Berto swinging at air most of the night.

By the late rounds, Mayweather was both talking to Berto and taunting him, secure in the knowledge he was winning big against the 18-1 underdog. In the final seconds of the fight he took a victory lap, fist raised in air.

The ringside scorecards reflected Mayweather’s dominance, with one judge scoring it 120-108, giving him every round. The other scores were 118-110 and 117-111, while The Associated Press had Mayweather winning 119-109.

Mayweather earned another $32 million for the fight, and once again he didn’t seem to have to work too hard to make it. Berto, who had lost three of his last six fights, tried to make it a fight but his punches were wide and mostly missed their marks.

“What can I say, I was the better man tonight,” Mayweather said.

Mayweather did what he’s done best in his 19-year career, fighting defensively and picking his shots against Berto. He was especially effective when Berto rushed at him, using his counter punching skills to keep Berto away.

It was a winning combination once again, just as it had been in his 48 previous fights.

“I pushed him to the limit,” Berto said. “But he was just better.”

Will this be the end of the Floyd Mayweather era?

Mayweather had vowed to give fans an action fight in his last bout, after being criticized for fighting defensively in his win over Manny Pacquiao. He did trade punches with Berto on several occasions, but never stayed in the pocket long enough for Berto to find his mark.

Mayweather complained to his father in the corner during the fight that he hurt his hand, but said since he is retiring it didn’t matter.

“You gotta know when to go. I’ve had a great career,” Mayweather said.

“I’m leaving with all my faculties. I feel like I’m smart and sharp.”

“I’ve accomplished everything,” Mayweather said.

“I’ve done everything in my sport.”

Ringside punch stats showed Mayweather’s defensive wizardry. Mayweather was credited with landing 232 of 410 punches, while Berto landed only 83 of 495.

“I was in great shape but it was difficult to fight him,” Berto said. “He was really, really slippery.”

Mayweather weighed in at 146 pounds, a pound more than Berto.

If Mayweather retires it will end a career that saw him become a pay-per-view star and earn more money than any boxer before him. Though most in boxing believe he will some day fight again, the 38-year-old said he had plenty of money and his health is more important than chasing records.

“I’m leaving the sport with all my faculties,” Mayweather said. “I’m still smart and I’m still sharp.”

— with Tim Dahlberg, AP