Ashley Theophane is the definition of a blue-collar worker – Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe
10-year welterweight veteran Ashley Theophane will have the biggest opportunity of his career next month when he opens the Mayweather-Canelo pay-per-view by facing the young but battle-tested Pablo Cesar Cano. Odds are that even if you consider yourself a dedicated fight fan, the name Ashley Theophane probably still has you running to BoxRec.com for a quick cheat sheet.
Here’s the short version. Theophane is a London native who’s had several fights in the U.S., most notably losing a disputed split decision to a young Danny Garcia in 2010 (“I boxed on his promoter’s show. It happens in boxing,” says Theophane nonchalantly). He’s never had a steady promoter, so his career has been that of a journeyman in travel, not necessarily in terms of talent. While training in New York, he met Floyd Mayweather and his camp during the preparation for the May 2012 Miguel Cotto bout. Prior to the Mayweather-Guerrero bout this past May, he was invited out to Las Vegas to spar with Mayweather Promotions fighter Mickey Bey. According to Ellerbe, he had his eye on Theophane for the entire period as a potential signee, inking the deal within the last few months.
Although most guys under the Mayweather Promotions banner like Badou Jack are under 30, the soon to be 32 Theophane has a model elder statesman within the stable in Ishe Smith, who recently became the first Las Vegas born fighter to win a major title. Thus far, major championship gold has eluded Theophane. However, he views his September 14 opponent as the perfect set-up for an eventual title shot.
“Every time Cano’s stepped up, he’s lost. This is another step up,” explained Theophane. “I have the best training team in the world. I’m not worried about my age at all. I’m 32, but if you look at Pablo’s losses, it’s all to guys in their 30s. Youth is good, but experience is better. With Mayweather Promotions, the world is my oyster.”
Oysters can go bad very quickly.
It took half a round for Mickey Bey’s immediate future to go up in flames at the hands of a determined John Molina last month. J’Leon Love, another Mayweather prospect, KO’d himself when he got caught using a banned diuretic which overturned an already controversial decision win over Gabriel Rosado in May. In other words, death comes in threes — is Theophane the next Mayweather Promotions name on the chopping block?
“Look at the guys I’ve beat and the guys he’s beat. There’s no comparison,” Theophane maintains before pausing thoughtfully. “But, he’s given all the guys he’s lost to hard fights.”
We will soon find out if “hard fight” translates into entertaining pay-per-view opener.
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“THE ONE: MAYWEATHER VS. CANELO,” a 12-round fight for Canelo’s WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine Super Welterweight World Championships and Mayweather’s WBA Super Welterweight Super World Championship taking place Saturday, Sept. 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions and sponsored by Corona, O’Reilly Auto Parts, AT&T, Valvoline, Mexico Tourism, Fred Loya Insurance and Nature Nutrition. In the 12-round co-featured attraction, WBC, WBA Super and Ring Magazine Super Lightweight World Champion Danny Garcia and thunderous puncher WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Champion Lucas Matthysse square off in a fight presented in association with Swift Promotions and Arano Box Promotions. Also, Ishe Smith vs. Carlos Molina square off in a 12-round battle for Smith’s IBF Junior Middleweight World Title which is promoted in association with Warriors Boxing. The opening bout on SHOWTIME PPV features a 10-round welterweight showdown between Pablo Cesar Cano and Ashley Theophane. The mega-event will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 