The glove controversy surrounding Marcos Maidana and Floyd Mayweather was brought to forefront again during last night’s post-fight press conference following a disclosure from trainer Robert Garcia that Maidana was “forced” to wear ill-fitted gloves selected by Mayweather’s camp.
Contrary to reports yesterday that manager Al Haymon was able to negotiate a compromise allowing both fighters to were their preferred gloves, Garcia disclosed that his fighter was “not allowed” to use the Everlast MX gloves approved by the Nevada Athletic commission. Instead, Mayweather hand-picked a pair of gloves from Everlast’s “Powerlock” line.
“These were not the gloves we wanted to use.” Garcia said. “The commission accepted our Mexican Everlast gloves, but we were not allowed to use them. These gloves, when I was putting them on (Marcos), I had to use a lot of Vaseline to slide them in. They just were not comfortable.”
Mayweather interjected behind Garcia’s comments, claiming the decision to remove Maidana’s usual Everlast MX gloves, which are marketed as a product designed for “optimal power,” was made to maintain fighter safety.
“I have a life after boxing. He has a life after boxing This is already a brutal sport. Of course we have to please the fans, but what about our health when boxing is over?” said Mayweather. “There are boxers in the fight game right now that can’t even articulate well. So do you really care about the fighter’s health? Then the questions come. Why did this guy die? Why is this one in the hospital? Why did he lose all his money? He lost all his money because he can’t count it. I’m here to protect the fighters. Not just me, but him (Maidana) as well.”
At press time, both sides are targeting September for a rematch.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 