http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/7840776/Mayweather-to-appear-in-next-WrestleMania
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Floyd Mayweather Jr. is
a champion boxer and has tested his moves on "Dancing With the Stars."
Now the man many consider the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world
is preparing to drop the gloves and do some wrasslin.'
A $20 million payday awaits the undefeated WBC welterweight champion
when he takes on Big Show as part of WWE's "WrestleMania XXIV" at
Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla., on March 30."It's
entertainment. You have a chance to just be you and do what you want to
do," Mayweather said Monday after a chaotic Staples Center event that
masqueraded as a news conference.The boxer nicknamed "Money" clearly likes the way WWE does business."Wrestling
takes care of business right on the spot," Mayweather said. "Whatever
they say they're going to do, they do it right on the spot. There's no
waiting three, four, five months. Quick results, quick money. Quick big
money, too."His manager Leonard Ellerbee and WWE executive Shane
McMahon confirmed Mayweather's eight-figure payday for the outdoor
match to be shown on live on pay-per-view.Mayweather incited the
couple hundred of already hyped fans at Staples Center by whipping out
a thick wad of cash and repeatedly tossing $100, $50 and $20 bills into
the crowd that had nearly as many women as men.A mad scramble
ensued, with a light pole nearly getting knocked over and two small
children caught in the chaos. One lucky man emerged from the pileup
clutching six $100 bills.Mayweather played to the frenzied crowd
after appearing from behind a black curtain wearing a New York Yankees
jacket and cap. Fans shouted insults and the name of hometown hero
Oscar De La Hoya at Mayweather."I run Vegas and I run L.A. and I will run the WWE," he boasted.At 5-foot-8, 150 pounds, Mayweather gives up big numbers to the bald Big Show, who stands 7-feet and weighs 430."I
weigh three times as much as he does," Big Show crowed. "It's not fair,
but I'm a businessman and I see an opportunity for business."Then
he picked up the wooden podium and tossed it to the floor, where it
splintered and the attached two mics lay like broken sticks. Clearly,
Staples Center officials hadn't expected the move.Mayweather
hopped onto a chair and exchanged glares with Big Show while WWE
regulars Randy Orton, John Cena, Triple H and Edge looked on,
witnessing a newcomer who clearly understands the theatrics of
modern-day wrestling."WWE is the biggest it gets," Mayweather said. "This is going to be an event like none other."Ellerbee scoffed that hard-core boxing fans won't take Mayweather seriously after his WWE antics."After
March 30, when Floyd goes out and takes care of his business at
WrestleMania, he's still going to be the best fighter in the world and
the face of boxing," he said. "Tell me what changes about that? Nothing
changes."The wrestling gig is another part of Ellerbee's carefully crafted plan to expand Mayweather's fan base."Either
I'm going to be a genius with this or I'm the biggest idiot," he said.
"Boxers have such a short window of opportunity. He can't become any
bigger in boxing."That's why Ellerbee snagged Mayweather a spot
on ABC's reality hit "Dancing With the Stars." Mayweather didn't win
the disco ball trophy, but he wasn't the first one voted off, either."It
crossed him over and took him into the households of many middle-aged
Middle Americans and turned him into a mainstream superstar," Ellerbee
said. "Now when Floyd goes into the grocery store, the first thing
65-year-old ladies say is, 'You're Floyd from 'Dancing With the Stars."'Mayweather plans to train with WWE Latino star Ray Mysterio, who wears a mask on his face."I'm
outside the box," he said, lapsing into the third person. "Floyd
Mayweather is not just a fighter, he's an entertainer. That's what the
world must know."But he hasn't forgotten his night job.Mayweather
alluded to a possible rematch with De La Hoya in September. De La Hoya
lost a split decision in their last bout May 5.
20 millon damnnn
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Subject: Mayweather to appear in next WrestleMania 
Mon Feb 25, 2008 7:53 pm
