FLOYD MAYWEATHER is training for his exhibition fight with Logan Paul as if he’s getting ready to face one of the ‘top welterweights’ in the world.
The former four-weight world champion will trade leather with the YouTuber next month, although a venue for their February 20 clash has not been announced.
Floyd Mayweather is training as hard as he did during his heyday, according to Devin HaneyCredit: AP
Floyd Mayweather is gearing up to fight YouTuber Logan PaulCredit: Instagram @loganpaul
Paul, 25, has yet to taste victory in his professional career, drawing one and losing one his two fights with fellow YouTube star KSI.
But according to WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney, Paul’s record hasn’t prompted the 43-year-old Mayweather to take the fight lightly.
Haney told Sky Sports: “His work ethic is crazy because he is still working. He still gets up at 5 or 6am to go running.
“He is training in the gym. He works like he’s going to fight one of the top welterweights today.”
Mayweather’s clash with Paul has been slammed by boxing purists, who have claimed it’s a farcical fight.
Haney understands the criticisms of the bout but insists it’s a good way for Mayweather to add to his fortune.
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How Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul compare ahead of their fight
He said: “I’m a fan of the business part – it’s a great promotional fight and a way for him to earn a lot of money.”
“Competition wise? It is no competition.
“Mayweather, one of the greatest fighters to ever live, against a YouTuber who doesn’t have much experience in boxing.
“It’s a way for him to earn a lot of money and the world will, no matter what we say, tune in to watch.”
Mayweather’s clash with the elder Paul brother will be his first outing since his December 2018 exhibition with Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa.
The retired Mayweather walked right through the then-20-year-old, dropping him three times before his corner threw the towel in.
His last competitive fight took place in August 2017 and saw him lock horns with UFC superstar Conor McGregor, who he registered a tenth-round TKO victory over to stretch his perfect record to 50-0.
But as SunSport revealed last week, the Money man is locked in talks over a blockbuster rematch with The Notorious, who suffered a devastating second-round round TKO loss to Dustin Poirier last weekend.
Mayweather took aim at the UFC’s poster boy shortly after the fight, claiming he doesn’t receive the same flak he gets for being arrogant because of racism.
He wrote Instagram: “I seen this post and my take on it is that the world knows Con Artist McLoser can steal everything from me and be loved but I’m hated. That just lets you all know that racism still exist.
“Just know, that bum will never be me or be on my level. I’m just built different, my mindset is on another planet, my skills are second to none, I’m a natural born winner and yes I talk a lot of trash, but every time I back it up! This is what they hate.
“It’s sad that you can be a poor black kid from the ghetto that has dealt with racism your whole life and work extremely hard to put yourself and your family in a better position, and most of the hate come from my own people.
“Connor cannot even win in his own sport, but talking about coming back to boxing to fight [Manny] Pacquiao.
“Nobody wants to see that, it’s like my leftovers eating leftovers.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk