May 12, 2008
Mixed Martial Arts
Boxer Mayweather might try new ring
Champ, Cuban discuss jump to MMA
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DALLAS - Floyd Mayweather Jr. met with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban last week to discuss competing in mixed martial arts.
"We're definitely going to work together," Cuban said after the Mavericks' game Friday night. "It's just a question of in what capacity. You just don't jump from being a boxer to an MMA fighter overnight. He's got to test the waters."
The story was first reported by ESPN.com.
Mayweather, 30, is considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and boxing's No. 1 attraction. His fights this year with Ricky Hatton and Oscar De La Hoya generated 3.25 million pay-per-view buys and more than $200 million in revenue. They earned Mayweather about $50 million.
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Cuban owns a fledgling mixed martial arts promotional company called HDNet Fights. He has put on two events, the latest in Dallas on Dec. 15. The bouts are shown on Cuban's HDNet.
"It would be huge," Cuban said. "He's an icon in boxing. He's conquered that world. He is the champ and he wants to be the biggest grossing all-time champ as well. ... Having him work with MMA and HDNet Fights would be huge. It would take it to a whole other level."
Mayweather and Cuban became friends when they were both contestants this year on Dancing with the Stars. Cuban was Mayweather's guest at the Hatton fight in Las Vegas on Dec. 8. Mayweather stopped Hatton to retain his title.
Mayweather and Cuban met again Thursday in Las Vegas and discussed Mayweather's possible role with HDNet Fights.
"We discussed him coming out to some of the gyms and on one hand helping some of the fighters we're working with on their boxing skills," Cuban said. "And on the flip side, he can get a sense of what it's going to take to make the conversion."
Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather's adviser and best friend, told ESPN.com that the welterweight champion was seriously considering a move to MMA.
"When Floyd makes his move, obviously it's going to be a mega event," Ellerbe said.
A few boxers, such as former heavyweight contenders Ray Mercer and Frans Botha, have attempted to compete in mixed martial arts with little success.
Copyright © 2008, The Baltimore Sun
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