Boxing a family tradition

Dean Juipe

Thursday, Sept. 12, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

One is 19 years old and just getting started.

One is 32 and about ready to retire as a fighter.

And one is closing in on 36 yet is hoping to extend an already illustrious career with some bigger and better fights.

The Mayweather family of professional boxers has grown to three now that Floyd has signed a promotional contract with Top Rank and will make his pro debut on the Oscar De La Hoya vs. Miguel Angel Gonzalez card Oct. 12 at Caesars Palace.

He has moved to Las Vegas to join his uncles, Jeff and Roger, and to form a rare trio of active professional fighters from the same family.

Jeff, who is winding down his career, will serve as an adviser to Floyd, while Roger, a two-time former world champion, will continue his own career while also serving as Floyd's trainer.

Roger, 56-12 with 34 knockouts, fights in the co-main event at Harrah's in Laughlin on Sept. 21. And, aside from helping his nephew, he's angling for a 1997 fight with De La Hoya.

"I want to look good in Laughlin," he said. "I just don't want to win, I want to win in convincing fashion. My incentive is to perform good and show the people I should get a fight with De La Hoya.

"I've always fought the best guys in whatever division I've been in, and right now De La Hoya and I are in the same (140-pound) division."

Roger's Laughlin opponent is Juan Soberanes, a fellow veteran who is 40-14 with 31 KOs. They're part of an A.F. Promotions card that also includes former super bantamweight champ Louie Espinoza, 50-10-2, against Jorge Palmores, 22-14.

Roger, Jeff and Floyd are each pitching an idea that Top Rank is attempting to bring to reality: A card in their native Grand Rapids, Mich., in which all three would fight.

"I'd use that as my farewell," said Jeff, who's 31-10 but has been inactive for six months. "I've had some good times and some bad times in boxing, and I'm ready to leave on my own terms."

A Top Rank spokesman said the Grand Rapids card could fall into place and be televised by the USA cable network. A December date is being kicked around.

Floyd will already have a fight under his belt by that time. No opponent yet, but the Olympic bronze medalist will have a four-round fight at 125 pounds as part of the De La Hoya-Gonzalez undercard.

"I'm real happy to be moving to Las Vegas," he said. "I'm happy to get started and proud to be on that card. Everything's perfect."

Roger has worked with Floyd since he was 11.

"I'm comfortable with him," Roger said. "He's easy to work with and it's nice for him and me.

"He's a skilled fighter and he's confident. He shouldn't really have any problem getting a world championship some day."

Jeff, who has a degree from Western Michigan University, will lend his expertise to his nephew's career in the informal role of adviser.

"I'm not trying to manage him or take a third of his purse," Jeff said. "I just want to help negotiate the best deals we can make for him. He's fortunate to be in a situation where he's in control of his career. That's a liberty that Roger and I and Floyd's dad (a former pro fighter) didn't have."