UW-Madison boxing club hoping Mayweather-Pacquiao fight spurs new members
Hoping to cash in themselves on history’s most expensive boxing match, UW-Madison boxing club officers hope the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao ‘Fight of the Century’ excitement pays off with new club members.
“It makes boxing grow,” said 24-year-old amateur fighter Marcus Johnson, one of the club’s assistant coaches. “The more people we have in here, maybe we’ll have five to 10 that really want to fight. Because for this club to stay open we actually have to have two competitions per year.”
The bout is expected to shatter an array of all-time records for the most money made from a single boxing match. mainly due to the expected three million spectators who will pay close to $90 to watch the fight at home.
Club President Chandler Davis and his dad will be there watching the fight.
“Muhammad Ali they say was the greatest. But I think he lost five fights,” David said. “Where if Mayweather wins he’ll be the only undefeated (in his class.)”
“I think that a lot of people who haven’t watched boxing are excited for this fight,” Johnson said. “People who aren’t even into it know the name ‘Pac-Man.’ They know Mayweather is undefeated. So they’re like everyone wants to see that. So I think a lot of people that aren’t even interested in boxing are going to watch that.”
Club officers know many more will be watching than normal. They hope that means more people with a more casual interest in the sport consider joining the club.
“I’m just doing it for the workout, and because I enjoy it,” Fisher said. “Not because I want to make a career out of it.”
The UW-Madison boxing club’s viewing party kicks off at 7:30 Sat. night at Union South, with a $5 cover charge. For more information visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1833861730173204/
Mayweather’s past has domestic violence groups concerned
The Mayweather-Pacquiao fight is highlighting Mayweather’s long domestic violence history, including:
– In 2001, Mayweather plead guilty to two counts of domestic battery against the mother of his daughter, receiving a suspended six-month jail sentence, a fine, and community service.
– In 2003, Mayweather was found guilty of battery for hitting two friends of the mother of Mayweather’s other three children, Josie Harris
– In 2005, Mayweather was charged with felony battery over an incident with Harris, in which Harris told police that Mayweather punched her, kicked her, and dragged her by her hair. Harris later recanted that statement during trial, and Mayweather was found not guilty.
– In 2010, Mayweather was arrested for punching Harris and pulling her hair, and pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and harassment. He served two months in prison.
The executive director of Domestic Abuse Intervention Services Shannon Barry says Mayweather’s past is a reason some are choosing not to watch the match.
“I know that there is a big push right now on social media to, rather than to pay the $100 to watch the pay-per-view fight, to donate money to local services,” Barry said.
