Mayweather-Pacquiao fight raises ethical dilemma for boxing fans
Should Mayweather's record of violence against women mean an end to his profits in the ring?
Did I kick, stomp and beat someone? No, that didn't happen. I look you in the face and say that didn't happen. Did I restrain a woman that was on drugs? Yes I did. So if they say that's domestic violence then you know what I'm guilty of restraining a person.- Floyd Mayweather
They're already calling it the fight of the century. Tomorrow night, the Filipino world champ Manny Pacquiao goes toe-to-toe with Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas. And millions will be watching -- ringside and via pay-per-view. Yet some boxing fans just can't stomach this bout. And it all has to do with Mr. Mayweather's behaviour outside the ring.
Over a 12-year period, the boxer has been arrested or cited for seven assaults, on five different women. He was sentenced to 90 days jail time in 2011, after pleading guilty to reduced charges, when his ex-girlfriend accused him of beating her up in front of their children.
Floyd Mayweather is already the highest paid athlete in the world. And this weekend he'll take home more than half of an expected purse of 300-million dollar. But there are those who think his record of violence against women should mean an end to using his fists for profit in the ring.
Other sports organizations such the NFL are dealing with similar problems, but differently. Footballer Ray Rice was suspended after a domestic assault. And other leagues, such as the NBA and NHL are re-evaluating their policies.
Today we explore the discrepancy between Floyd Mayweather and Ray Rice, and the degree to which pro sports organizations should be expected to take a stand on domestic violence.
- Melissa Jacobs is a former producer with ESPN. She's now the managing editor of TheFootBallGirl.com and she wrote a blog on why she's boycotting the fight.
- Lou Eisen is a boxing writer and historian. He writes the blog Touching Gloves.
- Robert Waterman is a boxing promoter and the head of the boxing web portals, SecondsOut.com and MaxBoxing.com.
We requested comments from the Nevada Athletic Commission, MGM -- which owns the site that is hosting the event, and HBO and Showcase, which are selling pay-per-view rights to watch it. MGM declined to comment. The rest did not get back to us.
Will you watch the match or boycott it? And what role do you think professional sports organizations should play in addressing domestic violence.
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This segment was produced by The Current's Sujata Berry, Gord Westmacott, and Natalie Walters.
RELATED LINKS:
The Guardian: "Why I cannot bring myself to watch the fight of the century"