Mayweather in weight flap for Marquez bout
Last Updated: Friday, September 18, 2009 | 9:42 PM ET
CBC Sports
Juan Manuel Marquez, right, and Floyd Mayweather flex after their weigh-ins on Friday in Las Vegas. (Isaac Brecken/Associated Press) Floyd Mayweather Jr., used to playing the heavy, may have to pay for being heavy on Friday.
Already facing the prospect of having a large portion of his multi-million dollar purse seized by Uncle Sam, Mayweather will face further financial penalty after weighing in at 146 pounds for his fight on Saturday night in Las Vegas against Juan Manuel Marquez.
Mayweather agreed to penalties in the contract for the fight for weighing more than 144 pounds, because it is coming against the naturally smaller Marquez.
According to ESPN.com, Marquez will receive more than his previously reported $2 million US base salary due to the Mayweather penalty, which was reported as $600,000.
It has been reported that the Internal Revenue Service is already taking $5 million of a rumoured $10 million Mayweather purse to settle a tax lien.
However, Mayweather is expected to get a percentage of the gate receipts and pay-per-view take.
Mayweather (39-0, 25 knockouts) will return to the ring after 21 months of inactivity at the MGM Grand Arena.
Marquez is universally hailed as one of boxing's best, but has never weighed more than 135 pounds for a fight previously.
Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KOs) tipped the scales at 142 pounds. The Mexican as recently as three years ago weighed 125 for a fight.
Despite the weight difference, there are some giving the 3½-to-1 underdog a chance due to his boxing acumen as well as Mayweather's inactivity.
"I've got to show everybody that what I do is still better than what everybody else does," said Mayweather. "I should be around for a while."
Mayweather has often revelled in being controversial. While he has been complimentary to Marquez, he earlier this week accused potential future opponent Manny Pacquiao of using steroids.
Police questioned Mayweather last month when one of his vehicles was allegedly found near the scene of a shooting, but the fighter was cleared of any involvement.
With files from The Associated Press
