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By Kirk Jackson
***Disclaimer: The contents of this article are in good fun.
Even in retirement, Floyd Mayweather continues to rack up victories.
The former pound for pound boxing king may no longer be regarded as an active fighter, but he remains a fixture in combat sports.
At the head of Mayweather Promotions and working hand in hand with longtime advisor Al Haymon, Mayweather remains active in the world of boxing as a promoter.
And with his entrance into the world of retirement, it appears a “Mayweather Curse” has developed as well.
The world of sports is quite familiar with supposed curses; as there are various curses discussed in sports folklore.
Other notable curses include the “Sports Illustrated Curse,” which apparently curses players who appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated magazine. Athletes have tended to coincidentally suffer setbacks or injuries, or lose important games, shortly after appearing on the cover.
There is the “Madden Curse” which is similar to the “Sports Illustrated Curse.”
There is the ever so haunting “Curse of the Bambino,” that has since been lifted ever since the Boston Red Sox won the World Series in 2004.
Another well know curse is the “Base God Curse” in which was inflicted on NBA stars Kevin Durant and James Harden.
In 2011, NBA superstar Kevin Durant tweeted his bewilderment with the popularity of Bay Area Hip Hop artist Lil B.
Durant questioned the skills or lack thereof of rapper Lil B and the rapper responded by unleashing the “Base God Curse.”
Lil B claimed Durant would never win the NBA championship. Durant ended up losing in the NBA Finals that year and has not reached the NBA Finals since.
During the Western Conference Finals of the 2015 NBA Playoffs, Lil B began questioning NBA superstar James Harden’s “Cooking dance,” which happens to be a series of moves Lil B created years ago.
Harden, seemingly ignored Lil B and was inflicted with the curse. Harden and the Houston Rockets would ultimately lose to the eventual champion Golden State Warriors and in the process Harden set an NBA Playoff record with 13 turnovers in the series finale.
Lil B has since lifted the curse off Harden and Durant; Although for a short period of time Harden may have been suffering from the “Kardashian Kurse” as well.
Now the “Mayweather Curse” or “Curse of Mayweather” isn’t just a song from hip hop artist Jay Electronica.
Over the years, Floyd Mayweather has endured all types of scrutiny from many people. Whether its writers, other media personalities, fighters or athletes, plenty people have taken a shot at Mayweather; especially over the last year or so.
As a guy known for controversy and trash talk, Mayweather has not really engaged in public banter since retiring in September of 2015 after defeating Andre Berto in his farewell fight.
With no barbs or harsh insults hurled back at his detractors, they all appear to be dropping like flies in some way or another. But for Floyd Mayweather, there is no need to respond, when the “Mayweather Curse” is well and active.
Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, Ronda Rousey, Anderson Silva, Dana White and Conor McGregor appear to be victims of the “Mayweather Curse.” Adrien Broner may want to tread carefully.
The latest victim of the “Mayweather Curse,” is mixed martial artist Conor McGregor.
The Irishman suggested during his conversation with Chris Jones of Esquire, that Mayweather would get destroyed in the Octagon.
“If you can box, what happens if I grab hold of your legs? If you put me face-to-face with Floyd Mayweather—pound-for-pound boxing’s best—if I fought Floyd, I would kill him in less than thirty seconds. It would take me less than thirty seconds to wrap around him like a boa constrictor and strangle him.”
Nate Diaz scored quite the upset over the weekend, forcing the tough talking UFC star to tap out.
Ronda Rousey received her version of the curse along with some humble pie when she suffered her first professional defeat in November of 2015.
Widely regarded as a Mixed Martial Arts legend, Anderson Silva has suffered from the curse since his disparaging comments about Mayweather.
Silva was knocked out, broke his leg in the rematch, was busted for performance enhancing drug use and recently lost his last fight.
For Dana White, see McGregor and Rousey. White can say he’s happy with the results of his UFC events, even if they end with his prized attractions (Rousey, McGregor) losing.
But using logic, we know it’s never a good thing when the star attraction loses in dramatic fashion. Especially if there isn’t a replacement for that attraction and it was clear to see the expression on White face, when his overhyped cash cows (Rousey, McGregor) suffered surprising defeats.
Manny Pacquiao’s apparent free fall from grace is apparent and still in motion.
Pacquiao was dropped from sports apparel juggernaut Nike, there is questions about the legitimacy of his shoulder injury, controversy behind disparaging comments against the gay community, what will happen next?
Will the “Mayweather Curse” affect Pacquiao when he faces Timothy Bradley in April? Will he be affected in his election late this year?
De La Hoya and Mayweather’s rivalry is well documented. The two have been engaged in a rivalry of sorts since their showdown in 2007.
After defeating De La Hoya in 2007, Mayweather went on to defeat numerous fighters under the Golden Boy Promotions banner (Oscar De La Hoya’s company).
The fighters under the Golden Boy banner at the time were Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez, Ricky Hatton, Victor Ortiz, Robert Guerrero, Marcos Maidana and Saul Alvarez.
Unfortunately of De La Hoya, he dealt with various issues outside the ring in recent years including struggles with drug abuse.
There is a long list of victims with the “Mayweather Curse” in effect. The Mayweather detractors may want to be cautious when opposing Mayweather to avoid the curse.
