Floyd Mayweather Jr to Stage Massive UK Show
Floyd Mayweather Jr has confirmed that he plans to stage a show in the UK that will be headlined by Londoner Ashley Theophane. No date has been set for the fight.
The British welterweight is the latest addition to The Money Team stable, which is headed by Mayweather, having based himself in Las Vegas and suitably impressed the five-division world champion.
Mayweather made the announcement ahead of the biggest fight of the year when he comes face-to-face with undefeated Mexican sensation Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The 36-year-old is regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and plans to stay on top of the sport for years to come. Yet he is also trying to begin a successful career as a promoter and revealed he plans to stage a major show in England where he has huge support.
"Mayweather Promotions is coming to the UK for my fans at the end of the year," Mayweather revealed. "They have supported me for a long time and the card will be for them. This is more than just an idea."
Topping the bill will be 33-year-old Theophane who previously held the British welterweight title but is better known in America for his performances against Danny Garcia, DeMarcus Corley and Delvin Rodriguez.
Theophane boxes on Mayweather's undercard when he faces Mexican talent Pablo Cesar Cano, but should he emerge victorious then he could be in line for a shot at a title at 147lbs.
"Floyd has just signed a British fighter Ashley Theophane who we believe will perform well this weekend," added Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe.
"Floyd wants to showcase Ashley and other boxers in the Mayweather team because the UK has the best fans and show a lot of love for Floyd. We have a great relationship with BoxNation and perhaps they will get behind the show."
Mayweather experienced first-hand the fanatic support of British fight fans when he faced Ricky Hatton in 2007, as 35,000 supporters made their way to the fight capital of the world.
There were similar scenes as thousands of fans welcomed the arrival of Alvarez and Mayweather but Ellerbe felt that nothing could compare with that epic night against Hatton.
"This was special, but I have never experience anything like the atmosphere when Ricky fought Floyd," he added. "I can recall coming into the MGM lobby at 3am for a meeting and all you could hear was Hatton fans singing."
Mayweather has often suggested that he would like to fight in England and there is a feeling that Amir Khan could well be a possible opponent if the American decides to have one fight in the UK.
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