By John F. McKenna (McJack)
WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (42-0, 26 KO’s) may have been presumptuous when his team reserved the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas for May 5, 2012. The boxing arena was reserved for a possible fight with a fighter who was only described as the “Little Fella”. Of course everyone presumed that the “Little Fella” referred to WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KO’s).
With the charges of domestic violence hanging over him brought about by the mother of his three children Josie Harris, it appears that Mayweather was presumptuous in reserving the MGM Grand for May 5 when it was not even known whether he would be in prison at that time. Josie Harris attempted to have the charges brought by her dropped but by the time Floyd was in court facing the judge it was too late.
Domestic violence against women is taken very seriously by the courts in this country. It is also a certainty that the judge took into account that at the time of the domestic altercation Mayweather also allegedly threatened the children he had with Josie Harris.
In addition, this was not Floyd’s first go around with the law.
Overlooked by the media is the foregone conclusion by many that Mayweather’s license will be renewed after he serves his jail time, completes his 100 hours of community service as well as going through the domestic violence program mandated by the courts.
Every boxer’s license automatically expires on December 31 of every year. When Mayweather applies for reinstatement he will face closer scrutiny than most because of his incarceration at the Clark County Detention Center. The pending charges against Floyd were closely examined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) prior to his fight with Victor Ortiz in September.
At this point it is premature for the members of the NSAC to indicate how they will come down on whether or not Mayweather has his license renewed. Because of the amount of money that is made every time Floyd fights there will be intense pressure applied by the various entities involved who stand to make big bucks when and if his license is renewed.
On the other hand there will be political pressure brought about by domestic violence awareness groups who will be closely monitoring the situation. The NSAC will be caught in the middle.
