In a remarkable career that saw him win numerous titles at various weights whilst remaining undefeated and accruing eye-watering wealth, the once again retired Floyd Mayweather has now revealed the biggest mistake of his career.
As one of the most exciting prospects in boxing after a glittering amateur career, the 'Pretty Boy' signed with famed boxing promotion company Top Rank upon turning pro, and he now regrets this decision as he explained to fighthype.com.
“As of today, the worst thing I ever did in my career was sign with Top Rank,” he admitted.
“That’s the worst thing I ever did. The worst thing I ever did was sign with Top Rank, because I was destined to be big anyway. I was destined to be a superstar anyway.”
The boxing legend has never lacked in confidence and it is quite likely correct in suggesting that his charisma and skills were always going to make him a household name, but some may feel he is being disrespectful to the company that helped to set him on the path to global superstardom.
Bob Arum, the veteran CEO of Top Rank who promoted Mayweather for the first 10 years of his pro career before their acrimonious split in 2006, was the subject of a furious tirade from the American fighter.
"Bob Arum is a bitter [expletive]. You made so much money off fighters,” said Mayweather.
”You made more money off of fighters than fighters make. So be happy with that. Go live your life and just chill. You’re that old. You’re almost 90-years-old, and you still want more money. Listen, I’m only 40 and I can’t buy nothing else.
"What the [expletive] are you trying to buy at 90? You can’t buy nothing else at 90. You want a new suit. Why do you want a new suit when you’ve got 40 years’ worth of suits.”
It has been another lucrative year for 'Money', as his fight with UFC phenomenon Conor McGregor generated millions, but some observers believe that Mayweather's biggest mistake was in concluding his incredible career with such a mismatched bout.
As he counts his millions, he is perhaps not unduly concerned.