Floyd “Money” Mayweather’s Steamy Media Day

LAS VEGAS-You couldn’t plan a better moment for a media day.

Just as Floyd “Money” Mayweather ended his video interviews with a number of TV types, they began heading out of the steamy premises only to be stopped by a sudden downpour from the monsoon weather surrounding the Las Vegas boxing gym. Those trying to depart scampered right back into the cramp and humid gym. The weather was definitely on Mayweather’s side.

Wednesday afternoon saw more than 100 journalists enter the gym that Mayweather built to give the media one last opportunity for photos and video shoots. On Sept. 14, Mayweather (44-0, 26 Kos) fights Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (42-0-1, 30 Kos) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Golden Boy Promotions is staging the event and Showtime pay-per-view will show the fight.

Mayweather is a polished veteran when it comes to media days and how to utilize it for not just his own purpose, but to showcase his roster of fighters under the Mayweather Promotions banner.

IBF junior middleweight titlist Ishe Smith was in full speed at the gym going through his workout routine. The Las Vegas resident was the first male fighter to win a world title, not the first fighter. That distinction goes to Melinda Cooper, who won a flyweight world title back in 2006. Smith will be defending against Carlos Molina on Sept. 14.

One of Smith’s sparring partners is DonYil Livingston, a middleweight from Lancaster, Calif. who was invited to the camp. He also sparred with Mayweather during the last few weeks. He had some interesting viewpoints on the Mayweather system.

“You can’t just go in there and spar,” said Livingston. “You got to be a good shape to go in there. It’s a whole different level especially with Mayweather.”

Mayweather has been proving for years that his level of fighting is at a whole different plateau. Only a scant few have been able to win a round against the Las Vegas prizefighter. It’s a reason that most call him the best boxer pound for pound in the world.

Media days are routine for Mayweather, who’s been fighting since 1996 professionally. World titles at junior lightweight, lightweight, welterweight and junior middleweight have been grabbed by the defensive boxing genius. Now he’s returning back to the 154-pound weight division to see if Alvarez can offer any resistance.

“It’s a whole different level in here,” said Livingston. “It’s a very humbling experience but I’m embracing it.”

Mayweather said the same words to the press as if read from a script written back in the 1990s. In a way, it is the same script and has been the same results for 15 years. Fighters have come and gone and despite the ageing process, Mayweather continues to dominate the world boxing scene.

“Everybody has a plan,” said Mayweather.