GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) -Recently retired boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. accused HBO's announcers of bias against him and other black fighters.
Mayweather, a 31-year-old former Olympic bronze medalist from Grand Rapids, told The Grand Rapids Press in an interview Friday that the network ``is great,'' but criticized its boxing announcers.
``They talk about Kelly Pavlik, a white fighter, like he's the second coming. Or they go crazy over Manny Pacquiao. But I'm a black fighter,'' Mayweather said. ``Is it racial? Absolutely. They praise white fighters, they praise Hispanic fighters, whatever. But black fighters, they never praise.
``I've noticed it for a long time but I couldn't say anything because I had to do business with them. I'll still do business with them, but I'm done holding my tongue.''
HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg said in a statement that the network, which has carried many of Mayweather's fights, was disappointed to hear of the boxer's remarks and denied his claims.
``Floyd is a tremendous athlete who gave his all to the sport. We have nothing but admiration for what he accomplished in the ring,'' Greenburg said. ``His remarks regarding HBO broadcasters and executives are unfortunate and we could not disagree more.''
Mayweather gave the interview on the first day of a three-day retirement celebration in downtown Grand Rapids. Boxing's pound-for-pound king abruptly retired last month at the peak of his athletic skill and earning power.
``I'm happy. I feel clear. I feel free as a bird,'' he told the newspaper. ``I feel good that I can finally speak out, and say the things I want to say.''
Mayweather called it quits at the close of a remarkable 18-month stretch in which he beat Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton, made more than $50 million in the ring and became a bankable celebrity outside it.
In the past year alone, Mayweather has appeared on ``Dancing With the Stars,'' worked on his record label, served as the honorary starter at the Indianapolis 500 and entered the wrestling ring for a choreographed tussle.
