By now, people in the boxing community and elsewhere have heard about the Mayweather situation that unfolded this week. Earlier this week, Mayweather, through his lawyers, asked a judge for leniency and early release from prison. Mayweather stressed that he spent too much time in solitary confinement and does not have access to proper workout equipment. “Money’s” lawyers even went as far as saying that he may not fight again.
Dr. Robert Voy, Mayweather’s personal physician complained that Mayweather was consuming less than normal calories per day and was not allowed to drink bottled water.
On Wednesday Mayweather was denied the right to serve the remainder of his sentence from the confinement of his home. Mayweather has 72 more days scheduled before his freedom is returned. As of now, he must deal with the problems that are facing him, all alone, at least until his lawyers have their next day in court.
We asked the public what they thought of Mayweather’s legal drama…
The question that we posed was this: Should he have been granted early release or was justice served?
The following, is what the public had to say…
*Efrain Torres – Worcester, Massachusetts
“Everyone makes mistakes and we all are responsible for our actions. If he is guilty then he needs to pay his debt just like you or I. With that being said, Mayweather is in a position were he can use his celebrity for good. it would be in every ones best interest if they could work out a deal where he would be released from prison and in return he would help educate the community so that others can learn from his mistakes.”
*Roberto Carlos Beltran – Dallas, Texas
“He should remain in jail bro IMO if you make any mistake. You’ll have to pay he gets no special treatment. It’s not like he’s in there for years. He’s going for 90 days.”
*Jon Campbell – Manchester, United Kingdom
“Im really not sure to be honest its not really a boxing question but if he has done the crime he should serve his punishment and deserves no special treatment simply because he is an exceptional athlete. House arrest in a mansion like his is not adequate.”
*Geoff Rushworth – Sunderland, England
“He should be released now and giving some sort of other punishment.”
*Corey Washington – Fort Worth, Texas
“I think he should remain in jail..you do the crime, you do the time..3 months isn’t a long time..he also isn’t in general population where he has to fear for his life or anything..”
*Pablo Manuel Plasencia – Pasig, Philippines
“Mayweather needs to remain in jail, sick of celebrities getting special treatment. If Floyd can’t do the time then don’t do the crime. Maybe Floyd doing some time in jail he can learn how to be a better person and be humble.”
*David Cavagna – Lower Lake, California
“I think Floyd deserves to be allowed house arrest, its done quite commonly, I got one of my employees sentence reduced to house arrest several years ago by telling the judge his work skills were needed to assist my business in the community. The funny thing was after 3 months of being stuck at home with an ankle bracelet, only allowed to leave for work hours, Gorden told me if he had it to do over again he would just do his time in jail. I think Floyd should be allowed to rent an apartment approved by the sheriff’s department, his crime is an emotional domestic one that I believe they reduced to non felonies so I think his attorneys request are fair. He’s showed he’s willing to comply and I know his mental state is really bad right now, he’s never faced serious imprisonment and I think he’s really having a hard time. The idea of a sentence is to detour the person from committing the crime again, this is and will get accomplished either way the judge decides. I hope the Judge gives Floyd a break!”
*Robert Massey – Liverpool, England
“If someone does a crime they should serve the sentence giving 2 them in my opinion.”
*Ernest Morales – Bronx, New York
“Well… to be honest, personally I believe it’s much to early for him to be seeking “home arrest’ but it doesn’t surprise me nor do I blame him, after all, NOBODY wants to be in jail. No. I don’t buy his “I’m deteriorating” “I’m melting” and especially that “I’ll never fight again” allegations for one minute. Floyd’s team knows that Las Vegas can use the extra revenue from Floyd’s mega events. Just another way of Floyd reminding them.
Let’s face it, Floyd is a “spoiled rich Kid” that’s (1) Used to getting his way. (2) He’s used to buying his way out of situations. It’s only natural that he’ll try to buy his way out of this one. (3) I believe that Floyd’s team and lawyer expected this. It’s all part of the plan and process. We haven’t heard the last of this. The earlier they get denied the better, making their chances to have their request granted the NEXT time better, MUCH better. In other words,”the EARLIER he gets denied, the EARLIER he can submit another request, and then the EARLIER he will be re-considered and the EARLIER he can/will be released!!
The authorities denied his request THIS time, and made themselves “look good” at the same time. They couldn’t do it this time, too many “eyes watching” them, so they sort of set things up for the NEXT time.”
*Jim Holborn – Sunderland, England
“I’m an avid boxing fan and believe Mayweather is one of the greatest boxers to grace the ring, however, I don’t believe anyone who has offended should be allowed a shorter or more lenient sentence than anyone else. I hope Floyd comes out of prison a changed man and has learned a lesson, but can also make all the negatives that resulted in his incarceration and time in prison, into positives. In that way he can come onto the scene again and bring his style and expertise again onto our screens as well as maybe, using his experiences over the past month or so to educate the young and up and coming boxers how to avoid such negative situations. Floyd needs to seek out his time inside and use it to become even better in the ring, if at all possible. Maybe use it as an inspiration in his next fight.”
*Alex Hernandez – Worcester, Massachusetts
Well I would start off by saying “none is above the law” therefore if u have committed the crime u should be held accountable as the next person. In these times the lines have been blurred by status and money therefore we see certain individuals get slapped on the wrist when the next person is held to the max of the punishment. In this case it would be nice for the TRUE law to step up and enforce there sentencing. But hey we all know things don’t ever play out like that. Its the hand the rich and the poor have been dealt. We just have to play it wisely.”
*Ricky Roldan – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“Floyd Mayweather’s situation is unfortunate and should be a lesson to celebrities that they are not above the law. Mayweather is learning a very tough lesson right now and its one that many individuals of special privilege and great wealth often learn the hard way. When one gets incarcerated they lose many of the privileges and luxuries that you took for granted such as being able to go to the 24-hour fitness center or having your chef prepare you a healthy meal anytime you want or drinking water at your pleasure.
This is what happens when you assault your children’s mother right in front of them with no regard for the children’s emotional and mental well being not to mention treating his own staff like unworthy peasants. So in my opinion and as the old urban parable goes “if you can’t do the time then don’t do the crime”. “Pretty Boy” Floyd already received a sympathy pass when he was allowed by the Judge to suspend his jail sentence so he could fight Miguel Cotto on May 5th and now he wants more sympathy. His lawyer Richard Wright is saying that Mayweather’s condition is “inhumane” but Mayweather wasn’t thinking about that when he treated his girlfriend and mother of his kids inhumanely when he beat her like a dog. At any rate, Mayweather should be left in prison so he can reflect on how to treat people better. I will end my assessment with a quote from a person who know all to well about prison and boxing, Bernard Hopkins:
Because he won’t be in the population, it will be easier for him to think about himself, He can evaluate the things that he’s proud of, the things that he’s not so proud of, what he wants to do and where he wants to go.”
*Davina Perez – Brooklyn, New York
“I personally believe from a social worker point of view that he should’ve received domestic violence counseling instead of jail…and should engage in ongoing counseling.
I can understand in his case as an athlete why he does not want to remain in jail…he is use to training daily and that keeps up his stamina so when he stops he feels it effects his metabolism. Floyd uses his stamina to help him win fights….
So in Floyd’s case, let me make it clear, I don’t agree with victimizing any woman or abuse but he should’ve been referred to long term counseling and included the baby mother in the counseling so they can learn to work together to become better parents for their children….that is my opinion…
I work with families and children all the time and not every situation should result in jail time….jail sometimes can be just a “warehouse” but does not help to change the behavior of the alledged abuser…it actually could have an adverse effect and make him become more aggressive because now he goes into “survival” mode which could make him a more angry individual.”
