Let's start with when and how I got started in boxing... well, I think I started boxing the same way as a lot of kids who have siblings or at least someone that they look up to or admire involved in the sport. My story is no different. I always wanted to do whatever my older brother Roger did, so when Floyd Sr. got Roger involved in boxing of course I followed, and I guess I followed for quite some time after those days in the gyms of Grand Rapids, Michigan, being that now we all live in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The common denominator that brought all of us here is Boxing. I was around 12 years old when I had my first amateur fight in the Silver Gloves. I won, and won fairly easy, so I thought to myself, maybe this ain't so bad. I stuck with it for a while until I discovered girls and how they really went for the athletes in school and after compiling an amateur record of around 15-0, I walked away from boxing because I wanted to be one of those athletes who the females cheered for.

I turned my interest to basketball, football and eventually I would end up running track as well. Basketball was my first love; no one, I mean no one, could tell me I wasn't going to the NBA.   Then in my junior year of high school my NBA dreams were crushed not because I wasn't good enough but because I wouldn't conform my ways to what my coach perceived as team unity. Anyway, that was the real beginning of what I called my career as an amateur boxer. I fought in the Golden Gloves four years, capturing two State titles in the Novice division and one time State champion in the Open-class. I won the National AAU Tournament and advanced to the semifinals of the National Golden Gloves Tournament. Then I went on to graduate from Western Michigan University with a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design and a Minor in Social Work.

After graduating from college I was really forced to make what at the time I considered to be a life-altering decision. I was talking to my brother Roger about the possibility of turning pro, coming to Vegas where he now resides or staying in Michigan and finding a job in the field I went to school for. I thought long and hard, but I felt that you are only young once and that is why I ended up becoming a prizefighter. I didn't want to waste my youth and my dreams and look back ten years later and say to myself what I should have and could have done. This was my chance to live it, in the boxing capital of the world, so I thrust myself into my dream. I also knew that once my career was over I would not have any regrets, because in the words of Old Blue Eyes "I did it my way."

I left amateurs behind with a 42-7 record, loaded up the truck and moved to Vegas, Las Vegas that is. I had a pretty decent career as a pro. I ended my career with a 33-10 and 5 record. I fought several world champions: De la Hoya, Jesse James Leija and Joey Gamache and even captured a minor title along the way. I became the IBO Jr. Lightweight Champion of the World. I never thought much of the title but it was good to be someone's Champion.

I fought my last professional fight in Grand Rapids, Michigan on a card which featured Roger, Floyd Jr. and myself. I felt this was the perfect time for me to retire. This is where it all started and this would be the perfect ending to me; so that night was very special to me, to retire at home in front of people whom I knew and grew up with. I won an eight round decision to Eric Jabukowski. I had already begin working with Floyd Jr., playing an active role as his advisor. Things have changed drastically since those days. I no longer work with Floyd Jr. and neither does his dad. I haven't spoken to Floyd Jr. in over three years. I wish him all the best in his career and know that if he stays focused he will remain on top, but as far as having a relationship as we once had as uncle and nephew, has forever changed and I'm okay with it. One day he will have to deal with all that he's done; it's not up to me to pass judgment on him.

The rest of my family and I could never be any closer than we are right now. I have a great relationship with my two brothers that are more widely recognized than myself. I have great relationships with most everyone I meet, I'm what you might call a people person. I'm keeping myself busy these days training approximately seventeen fighters, 8 professionals and 9 amateurs and co-managing one fighter and doing some marketing for fighters as well.

I'm keeping my head above water and staying out of trouble making an honest living. I'm also having something really, really big about to happen within the next year but that is yet to be revealed, so stay posted and go to your Neutral Corner.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Bragging Rights Corner wishes to welcome Jeff Mayweather to its roster. We consider ourselves very lucky and proud to have him, and look forward to reading all about his first-hand knowledge of the sport and its participants. It should make for very interesting reading.

Thank you, Jeff, and welcome aboard!

9-16-2003