The empty O2 arena may not have been half a literal abyss, but it could be metaphorical. When your career has been built on the shared interest of being seen outside, what is left when that possibility is eliminated? What’s left isn’t enough to fill the O2 Arena, as Floyd Mayweather discovered on Saturday night when he played in the UK for the first time.
That was the main selling point of this exhibition fight against Aaron Chalmers, the reality TV star turned fighter who replaced kickboxer Liam Harrison. But the main selling point turned out to be a secondary one, like Mayweather – Union Jack Sports Shorts – Chalmers joked and joked eight rounds of two minutes in front of a frustrated and unimpressed crowd in the English capital.
The shocking event, which took place the day after Mayweather turned 46, actually resembles the kind of sad, poorly attended birthday party a sadly unloved kid might throw during his elementary school years. As it turns out, Mayweather is no longer the popular kid. The curtained upper level of the O2 suggests just as much, as do the many rows of empty seats. The first night’s fight was postponed for an hour in case more participants arrived with gifts, but this did not have the desired effect.
While a few benches suddenly found company in time for the main event – where Mayweather would have been the 80-72 winner had there been scorecards – it was an awkward moment when the American told the crowd after the fight that he would return to the UK if desired; Almost everyone present gave a positive response, but not much else.
However, it could – and probably should – have been very different. Mayweather’s professional career remains historic, with multiple world titles and claims to be the greatest boxer of all time, ending with the suspension of American mixed martial arts giant Conor McGregor in 2017, when “Money” finally changed to 50-0. While that carnival-like competition was still professional, it paved the way for the kind of show Mayweather and Chalmers would star in on Saturday night. Likewise, it was the first step on the road to Sunday’s Jake Paul and Tommy Fury showdown, which will truly be a professional fight – which eclipsed Mayweather against Chalmers.
But with such a storied career largely taking place in Las Vegas (Mayweather’s last 15 fights during his 11 years were staged in Sin City), the strategy of showcasing the veteran in new pastures should have been solid on this next leg.
There was an intriguing element to Mayweather’s first show, against Tenshin Nasukawa in the kickboxing star’s home country of Japan, on New Year’s Eve four years ago. But when Mayweather battled YouTuber Logan Paul two summers ago, Miami wasn’t the sexiest place. His next bout, against retired boxer Don Moore last May, could be a sporting wash if more people are truly interested in competing in Abu Dhabi. The same can be said of Mayweather’s latest fight, against YouTuber Deji in Dubai, while last September’s clash with MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura marked his return to Saitama, Japan – where the new story began and ended with Mayweather. x Nasukawa.
This brings us to London. that brought Mayweather to London. At this point, there is little motivation for the show’s sluggish 46-year-old tour, which could have been better served by a series of fights staged in faster succession and in a variety of venues. Mayweather in London, Tokyo, Berlin and Beijing over the course of a year is the kind of game plan that could have worked most effectively, especially if it had scored a guaranteed send-off to one of the all-time greats.
Even then, however, the exhibition format removes one of the major selling points of Mayweather’s career: the opportunity to knock out a frustrating and ultimately humiliating clinical defensive boxer. Chalmers, even though he has a 5-2 MMA record and a 1-0 professional boxer, wouldn’t be the only one to stun Mayweather – not if it was Manny Pacquiao, Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya, “Canelo” Alvarez, Shane Mosley and Miguel Not Cotto. Chalmers effectively recognized both The Independent this week.
So we await the announcement of Mayweather’s next show, possibly in the Middle East and most likely whenever the veteran wants another payday. But based on Saturday night, there might not be much left for “the money.”
Amelia Kensington is a contributor to Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Her work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, presenting complex topics in an accessible and engaging way while maintaining a strong commitment to accuracy and relevance.