Behind the Scenes with Floyd Mayweather

Behind the Scenes with Floyd Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated

Victory over Manny Pacquiao won't change the public's perception, but it could ensure Money's place alongside boxing's greats.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated

You could say that Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been training for his showdown with Manny Pacquiao since he was a toddler, when his dad and uncle—pro boxers both—immersed little Floyd in the fight life in dingy gyms in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated

But good luck finding many similarities between those sweaty dens and the camp's glitzy pre-Pacquiao camp at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas. There Money did what he does best—played to the cameras...

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated

While inspiring another generation of fight fans.

David Hasselhoff

Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated

And the extremes of Mayweather's life were fully intertwined: Even as the likes of David Hasselhoff turned his base into a celebrity circus...

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated

Mayweather focused on the weight of the moment that awaits him.

Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated

Floyd Mayweather Sr.

Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated

trainer

Roger Mayweather

Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated

uncle, assistant trainer

Nate Jones

Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated

assistant trainer

Boza Edwards

Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated

assistant trainer

Rafael Garcia

Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated

cut man

Bob Ware

Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated

tape man

DeJuan Blake

Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated

camp coordinator

Ricki Brazil

Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated

childhood friend

Ray Vinci Sadeghi

Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated

bodyguard

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Simon Bruty for Sports Illustrated