GOODFELLAS
It is week three in Las Vegas and my work load is ratcheting up week by week. My team work extremely hard and believe me, they work me very hard indeed, and I thrive on hard work.
My good friend, Ishe Smith, is already the first and only Las Vegas born fighter to win a world championship. On May 2nd he aims to win his second world title, and I firmly believe he will!
I’ve come a long way – from York Hall in Bethnal Green to the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Who says dreams can’t come true? I’ve already fought on the biggest stage in the world of boxing.
I push myself day in day out to get the best and most out of my body. I’m a fighter, a Spartan, a barbarian in the ring. That is my job. To fight, to give my best and to win. But also to reach for the stars and become one myself. It would not be possible without guidance and support from three great men. I’m here because of a great team around me; Floyd Mayweather, Leonard Ellerbe and René Carayol.
René Carayol walked into my life three years ago. A chance meeting at Andy’s barber shop in Paddington, West London. René was so intrigued that he bought ringside seats to watch my British title challenge at Wembley Arena against the then dominant British champion, Lenny Daws. He came along to support me and to see if I was as good as my barber, Andy, believed I was. I crushed Lenny, dropping him twice in a unanimous decision that ripped the British title from him and bestowed the crown on my head. I was now the King of the 140lb division in Great Britain.
René was converted, impressed and saw what many had not bothered to look for.
René saw the talent, potential and charisma I had inside of me. He believed I had all the attributes to become a real star of my chosen profession. He realised that with a little support and unwavering belief, I could go far. He backed me and afforded me the resources to set up shop in faraway Las Vegas.
We have never let each other down.
I then met the number one boxer, and highest paid sportsman in the world, Floyd Mayweather, the ultimate role model for any fighter, and the impressive CEO of Mayweather Promotions, Leonard Ellerbe. They both saw what René had seen, and quickly also believed I had the attributes to become something special. They respected my attitude and the single minded work ethic that makes me the person that I am.
They have also backed me, and I’m not about to let them down either.
I have three men who have achieved so much in the world of business and sport. I am in the safest of hands. With a team with so much experience and success, I cannot and will not fail. I might lose a close decision, but I will have given everything and will always come again – better than before.
Remaining in London was not an option – going away from home, on my own, but always armed with a single minded belief and trust in my ability, my fortitude and a steely resolve to reach my destiny.
I’m closing in on my 35th win. I’m just a couple of wins away from a landmark battle with Lamont Peterson, or a defining rematch with the number one 140lb fighter in the world, Danny Garcia. We had a fearsome battle that went to the wire four years ago. Many boxing fans at ringside believed I won. But the only people who really matter are the three judges seated around the ring. Two of the three judges controversially believed he won by one round. It really was that close, with absolutely nothing in it. We must and will battle again. This time the world of boxing will be watching, and there will be no hiding place and the winner will take all.
A winner’s attitude? An unbreakable mind-set? A dedicated lifestyle? Definitely a tough journey – but NEVER settle for a destination.
Whilst I may be travelling alone, I’m no longer on my own, I now have that positive support that we all need to keep climbing, no matter how steep and difficult the mountain.
Too many people settle for the achievement of one or two goals as being enough to deliver their ambitions. That will never be enough for me, in my opinion – when you factor in the twists and turns, and ups and downs of what can be a long hard life, mental fortitude and the ability to bounce back, no matter how tough the setback – this is what will see you through.
If you have never failed, then you probably haven’t tried hard enough OR you are the one and only, Floyd Mayweather.
UNDERDOG SPIRIT
This week saw our boss, Floyd Mayweather, along with the rest of ‘The Money Team’ (TMT) make the time to hand out food and water to homeless people around Las Vegas. It’s something I strongly believe in, taking the time out to assist those less fortunate than ourselves. One homeless person commented how it was nice to see the champ down here.
I’m in preparation and anticipating my next fight in Las Vegas in seven week’s time. It will be my second appearance in this city of glitz and glamour.
I’m pushing harder and harder each week, getting additional inspiration and motivation from Floyd Mayweather. The hard work he puts in is remarkable, but he also has time for his roster of fighters. There is always personal and team advice on how we can improve as fighters. His words are always appreciated, as it’s the best anyone can get in the professional boxing game, taking time out to address us on how he feels we can be better and improve – priceless stuff.
Floyd is already in great shape and as ever walking around at his fighting weight. He is a great example to all athletes worldwide on how to take your career seriously, he is always incredibly hard working and dedicated. I’m privileged and delighted to be part of his team and representing The Money Team in the United Kingdom and across the world.
My next fight is my 42nd and I’m closing in on my 35th win, world champions, Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia are my targets. I’m just two wins away from being in a ring with them. I believe it’s my destiny, so I’m doing all that is possible to make it possible.
Danny just struggled at the weekend against a tough, determined and skilled fighter in Mauricio Herrera. Herrera is very much like myself, an experienced and talented fighter with wins and losses against the world’s elite. Danny won a tight majority decision in Puerto Rico that many thought he lost, just like many believe I beat him back in 2010. There’s not a month that doesn’t pass that a fellow boxer or boxing fan comes up to me and express their disappointment that two of the judges ruled against me at the time. Setbacks and bad decisions happen in life, you have to continue to move forward. If you want to be the best and fight the best, then there is no risk free approach – you just have to lay it all on the line – every time.
The team started back up Mount Charleston this week. 9000ft above sea level, and 6 unforgiving miles uphill. It is no joke, but it is another reason why I’m always in frightening shape.
I’ve had another productive week in Las Vegas, I completed 24 hours training this week. I put in work; in the fitness centre, boxing gym, running up the mountain, drills and sprints on the track. No stone is left unturned.
With CEO Leonard Ellerbe and Floyd Mayweather guiding my boxing career, I’m in experienced and accomplished hands. I truly have a super team backing me.
As they do all they can for me outside of the ring, I’m laser focused on delivering inside the ring – another week of focus, drive and determination ahead and I can’t wait.
“Boxing doesn’t build character but it sure reveals it”
