Source: GMA News
-- On an HBO TV special that aired Saturday (Sunday, PHL time) entitled, "Floyd Mayweather: Speaking Out," the current WBC welterweight titleholder did just that, touching on a variety of topics, including Manny Pacquiao, Jeremy Lin, and Barack Obama.
The special is part of the build-up to Mayweather Jr.'s bout against Miguel Cotto, scheduled for May 5 (May 6, PHL time) at the MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas.
In a blog post on The Ring, writer Lem Satterfield published a transcript of some of Mayweather's many quotable lines.
The undefeated fighter reiterated his position towards the fight with Pacquiao, an offer of a flat $40 million dollars, saying, "Either you take it or you leave it. Like I've said before, Manny Pacquiao needs Floyd Mayweahter. Floyd Mayweather don't need Manny Pacquiao.
"I'm happy with how my career has gone. I have nothing else to prove in this sport to nobody. Do I want the Manny Pacquiao fight before my career is over? Absolutely. But if it don't happen, it don't happen."
Should the much-anticipated bout between the two fighters ever push through though, Mayweather has a special gimmick in mind for the pre-fight introductions.
"People want to know how much power Floyd Mayweather's got? ....If I could fight Manny Pacquiao, I would let [US President] Obama walk me into the ring carrying my belt. Can I make it happen? Absolutely."
Mayweather also discussed the comments he made about New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin, which led to many accusing him of being a racist.
"As far as the Jeremy Lin situation, I spoke my mind. I just said that Jeremy Lin was a good player....I said but all of the hype is because he's Asian.
"A lot of NBA players came to me and called my phone and said, 'Floyd, thank you, you've said what we've been wanting to say all along.' You know players have to be quiet, they can't say nothing."
Mayweather Jr. currently boasts of a 42-0 record with 26 KOs.
Source: GMA News
-- New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin and New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow were two of the six athletes named to Time magazine's "Top 100 Most Influential People in the World," the magazine announced on its website.
In addition to Lin and Tebow, tennis star Novak Djokovic, golfer Yani Tseng, soccer icon Lionel Messi and double amputee runner Oscar Pistorius were the other sports figures in the news magazine's annual feature.
The Taiwanese-American Lin sparked "Linsanity" earlier in the year thanks to a streak of superb performances for an injury-ravaged New York Knicks. According to the profile written by United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, "Lin's story is a great lesson for kids everywhere because it debunks and defangs so many of the prejudices and stereotypes that unfairly hold children back."
In addition to being featured, the Harvard graduate also wrote the profile for Tebow, the devoutly religious quarterback whose unorthodox style of play led the Denver Broncos to a playoff victory in the NFL. Lin wrote, "He [Tebow] is unashamed of his convictions and faith, and he lives a life that consistently reflects his values, day in and day out."
Lionel Messi was cited for his prodigious goal-scoring abilities as a member of FC Barcelona, while Novak Djokovic got the nod largely on the back of a stunning 70-6 2011 season record.
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Taiwanese Yani Tseng figures on the list after she became the youngest player ever to win five major championships, a feat capped with a victory at the Women's British Open last year.
Last but not least, Oscar Pistorius serves as an inspiration to many, especially paralytics, as despite a double-amputation that leaves him without legs, the man known as “Blade Runner,” referring to his prosthetics, will still be competing in the 2012 London Olympics in the 400-m and 4x400-m sprint events.
