Floyd Mayweather Jr. finally got the chance to bring his unique brand of fisticuffs to the United Arab Emirates in an exhibition match against “Dangerous” Don Moore on Saturday night.
The 45-year-old uber boxer-businessman showed that he still has the famous grit that made him the most financially successful boxer. The two fought for eight rounds, with Mayweather putting his foot on the gas starting the second round, and he never took his foot off.
The fight opened at a dead even 50-50 first round, with Mayweather feeling out his opponent. However, the 45-year-old former five-weight division world champion smiled and had fun starting in the second round, flexing his boxing acumen and taking Don Moore into dangerous exhibition waters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhUcRvcSq5I
From Dubai to Abu Dhabi With “Money”
Mayweather originally was supposed to fight Moore on Saturday, May 14, on the helipad of the Burj Al Arab Hotel. However, after the death of Dubai’s leader, President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan that weekend, Mayweather had to postpone the fight to honor the mandatory days of mourning.
Eventually, the fight was moved to Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, UAE, notoriously nicknamed Fight Island after the UFC’s takeover during the early lockdown stages of the pandemic.
“Money Mayweather” did not disappoint, showing his catlike reflexes and accurate angles while showing his ring generalmanship and even talking to the ringside commentators. He even attempted to dance with the ring card girl at one point. Mayweather put on a show for the crowd inside Etihad Arena, launching multiple combinations and ultimately sending Moore to the canvas in the eighth and final round.
Down. Goes. Moore.
A crushing and sneaky left hook to the body was the culprit. However, Moore got up to finish the round, although Mayweather smothered him for the remainder.
“Y’all made me pick the pressure up. I was going light, but y’all made me pick the pressure up,” a smiling Mayweather said to Fight Hype on his way out of the arena.
The Spider Turned Boxer
The co-main event was an exhibition boxing match between former UFC middleweight GOAT Anderson “The Spider” Silva and Bruno Machado. The 47-year-old Silva showed that he still has the goods in combat sports, looking like a boxer as a mixed martial artist in his last few fights.
Silva had a crisp and constant jab, executing feints and placing his shots accurately throughout. In the fifth round, Silva landed a flurry that caused a robust knockdown at the end of the round.
“He’s an amazing fighter,” Silva said post-fight. “He accepted the fight at the last minute. I’m so happy. He gives me the opportunity to move everything for you guys. Thank you for every single person who came today.
“I talked with my jiu-jitsu coach, and maybe I fight in a jiu-jitsu tournament [here in Abu Dhabi].
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hng80V2sCrQ
Silva Stays Relevant. Jake Paul Stays Trolling.
#JakePaul speaks on fighting #FloydMayweather and #AndersonSilva 👀 pic.twitter.com/7M5CfPdqtK
— No Jumper (@nojumper) May 22, 2022
Silva was disgruntled at his former employer, the UFC, which he felt was trying to dictate how long he could fight on a high level. Since his transition into boxing, he does not look like he is slowing down anytime soon.
🥱🥱🥱 pic.twitter.com/7CjWssrXe7
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) May 21, 2022
As the world watched, social media star-turned-boxer Jake Paul took to Twitter to troll Silva posting himself as an exterminator of spiders. With Paul’s next fight reportedly in August against an unnamed opponent, Silva’s sky is the limit, as everyone still wants a piece of the Spider.
