Floyd Mayweather dismisses talk of facing YouTube sensation Jake Paul or nemesis Manny Pacquiao

Floyd Mayweather played down talk of taking on Jake Paul and old nemesis Manny Pacquiao at his first press conference for his fight with Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers, insisting he cannot underestimate him despite his abyss in quality.

‘Money’ met the Briton for the first time in London on Wednesday ahead of their exhibition showdown at the O2 Arena on Saturday, but quickly dismissed suggestions he could be in line for high-profile fights in the future.

Mayweather, who finished his professional career with a 50-0 record, has enjoyed a relaxed post-race with head-to-head displays against social media stars and martial artists, handily beating KSI’s brother Deji in Dubai in November.

In a bizarre and chaotic press conference where a horde of screaming fans filled the room, Mayweather said he refused to allow more damage to his body after his storied career.

“If I was taking brutal punishment, I couldn’t do it anymore,” he said before his first fight in the UK. ‘My career was great because of my defense. My faculties were important to me. I retired from the sport and I didn’t let the sport retire me.

Floyd Mayweather has ruled out suggestions of high-profile fights in the future

‘Money’ faced Aaron Chalmers for the first time in London on Wednesday

We spoke to Jake Paul earlier and we can only do one display due to the weight disadvantage. I no longer chase him. I have achieved everything I could in boxing. We have so many young fighters in boxing today. Give them a chance to get out there so they can shine. This is not about Jake Paul, this is not about Floyd Mayweather. I’m going to entertain people, so please support me and my opponent.

Of his old foe Pacquiao, whom he beat by unanimous decision in 2015 in one of the most memorable fights in recent memory, he said: “We had the opportunity to do it when it really counted, for all the marbles.” I was able to go out and generate crazy numbers. You know what the result was.

“My focus is Saturday, which is why I’m here, to entertain the people and the UK. Blood, sweat and tears.’

Given the chaos of his last UK press conference against Deji, which was chaos after fans and children stormed York Hall to see the superstar, we didn’t expect a difference here at the Leonardo Royal Hotel.

Mayweather stole the show in typical fashion, referring to himself in the third person at every opportunity and then leaving the room in stunned silence after calling for a screaming baby to be brought out.

Asked what he expected from Chalmers, who has experience as an MMA fighter, he said he couldn’t afford to pass up the Newcastle-born star, but said he wouldn’t need hand speed or quick footwork to outwit him. to your opponent.

I want him to believe in his abilities, to believe in himself. I had my first fight in 1987, everything I ever dreamed of, I was able to do. I went to the Olympics, I fought the best, I was a world champion in five different weight classes.

‘I’ve seen it all, but you can never overlook a guy or underestimate a guy. He believes in his abilities and talent. My job is to entertain and do what I do. I don’t have to have quick hands or feet. The proof is in the pudding.

My advice to him is to leave here with skills. He’s tough, tough, and has combat experience, so I’m pretty sure he’ll be in his prime. I have a lot of experience at the highest level. I have fought in the best events.

Mayweather defeated Manny Pacquiao in 2015 and finished his professional career with a 50-0 record.

Former MMA athlete Chalmers (R) will fight in the boxing ring for the second time

‘Experience plays an important role. With all these fighters, I want them to give 100 percent. We are here to entertain. The UK has a huge fight market, it’s huge. I want him to be at his best and give it his all.

Chalmers, preparing for possibly the biggest moment of his life, was in high spirits and vowed not to show Mayweather “respect” in the ring, claiming he was eager to set up future fights against Jake Paul and Tommy Fury. who fight in Saudi Arabia this Sunday.

“I have nothing to lose,” he said at the press conference. I accepted the fight five weeks in advance.

‘Floyd could have chosen many opponents, so thank you for the opportunity to come and put on my best performance. I’ve had a lot of problems in my personal life, this puts me in the mix of wrestlers in the YouTube world, like Jake Paul and Tommy Fury.

‘I come to give you everything I can. No matter how long the fight lasts, you will not respect me. This is for my future.

He even landed a punch on Deji, Mayweather’s latest opponent, who was knocked out in the sixth round in their fight in Dubai last year and widely criticized for not stepping up to upset the big American.

“I’m not Deji, I’m not a player,” he said. I will not sit. I fought in front of 7 or 8,000 people, that’s not as much as what [Mayweather] He’s fought in but I’ve been to arenas and been booed by the fans. This is an opportunity to put myself in a good position.

‘I’m not going to give anything away, I’m just excited. We’re here now, it’s been a whirlwind four weeks. I know his jab is awesome, can I handle that jab? You will know on Saturday.

“I’ve tried to stay alert and fit, I have a nutritionist and no stone is unturned when I take on Floyd. He’s 46 on Friday, he’s 10 years older than me, so it’s just about being sharp and getting in his face. He’s one of the best fighters, so I can’t get too carried away and get cut. If you’re up against the best of all time, the rest should be a lot easier. This was the offer that came in and I grabbed it with both hands.

Mayweather’s latest outing brings up the question many are asking: how long can he keep putting on these exhibitions where we all know what the end result will be?

Jake Paul, Mike Tyson and Pacquiao have thrived on the interest in exhibition bouts.

Fans are expected to pay £24.88 on the Zeus platform to watch this fight on PPV, a steep price when there won’t be a star name in Mayweather’s opposite corner.

Mayweather, however, claims he is thrilling fans as he boasts of his role as a “pioneer” in exhibition bouts, a lucrative business now being taken advantage of by Logan and Jake Paul, Mike Tyson, Pacquiao and even Ricky. Hatton.

“I am a pioneer of being a boxer,” he added. ‘I am an entrepreneur. I am playing chess in the real world. I am truly blessed. I can’t take my opponent for granted. He is entertaining.

Everyone knows that when Floyd Mayweather wants to change the pace, he can. In this world of exhibition, I am the pioneer of this. I have taken an MMA guy to boxing and a boxing guy to MMA. I’m happy that we can come together and give people excitement.’