Floyd Mayweather has criticised exhibition rival Logan Paul for "holding" during their ring meeting.
The boxing legend touched gloves with YouTube star Paul last year, with the latter managing to survive the eight-round distance. The event generated huge interest with one million pay-per-views sold, despite no result being declared after the final bell sounded.
However, Mayweather believes he was the only one trying to entertain the crowd in attendance at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. "During these exhibitions, I am not taking any punishment," Mayweather said during a press conference to announce his latest exhibition outing in September. "We done it with Logan Paul - if you really can call that an exhibition, because I came to entertain and he came to hold.
"Someone from his team who actually put the exhibition on who I was working with reached out and said that Logan Paul wanted to do another exhibition, and this is the same guy that said he didn't get paid. You guys have to watch these guys that are clout-chasing by using the Floyd Mayweather name."
Mayweather outlanded Paul by a significant margin but was unable to make any significant openings to stop the fight, with his rival remaining resilient. Paul's brother, Jake, even claimed after the fight that his rising-star sibling had won the clash but statistics suggested strongly otherwise.
Paul is yet to pick up a victory since his exploits in the boxing ring began, having drawn with fellow content creator KSI before losing their rematch by split decision. However, he has since confirmed his plans to return to the sport after sharing the ring with Mayweather, including a potential duel with Brazilian YouTuber Whindersson.
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Meanwhile, Mayweather has since stepped back in the ring following his meeting with Paul, putting on a much-more entertaining display against sparring partner Don Moore in the Middle East. The former undefeated world champion tried to work the crowd by dancing with the ring girls, communicating with the commentary team and requesting a rule change during the fight.
Mayweather's next exhibition will take place in Japan against MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura in his fourth boxing showcase. The 45-year-old believes his recent exploits behind the ropes make sense as smart future investments for his family. "The name of the game is to hit and not get hit," Mayweather continued. "The less you’re hit, the longer you last. The mind is a terrible thing to waste, and I need this to make smart investments and take care of my family.
“But it’s exhibition. I’ve heard it so many times. ‘I’m going to beat Floyd, I’m going to beat Floyd.’ Well, we can go out there and he can do good for all three rounds, I’ll still be 50-0, because it don’t count.”
