In short
Episode topic: Boxing talk on a stacked title-fight weekend, Devin Haney’s upcoming world-title bout (Nov 22 vs Brian Norman in Saudi), plus discussion of a possible Floyd Mayweather–Manny Pacquiao rematch (April, Netflix/Sphere rumored).
Guests and backgrounds
Devin “DeDream” Haney, five-time two-division world champion and former undisputed champion, training for a move up in weight; Abdullah Mason, Cleveland prospect/contender in a world-title fight card, preparing for a 12-round step-up and discussing his rise.
Key claims
Haney says the weight change makes him “healthier/stronger” and that experience and overseas acclimation matter; he dismisses “weight bully” talk and focuses on executing his game plan. He also frames outside noise (post-Loma/Ryan/Ramirez) as irrelevant. Mason emphasizes durability and learning to extend from 8 to 12 rounds.
Notable examples
Haney cites past fights (Loma, Ryan Garcia, Ramirez) as “noise” for this fight; Mason recounts getting dropped by Johan Vasquez and bouncing back to win next round(s). Mayweather–Pacquiao rematch debate includes drug-testing and legacy vs currency.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOA Legacy Restored
0:04 to 0:24
A narrative about restoring a family car and the importance of tradition.
“You've been working in the garage with your dad every week, Monday to Sunday, trying to get the old school up and running.”
Welcoming Devin Haney
0:46 to 1:16
Introduction of boxer Devin Haney and his upcoming fight.
“making those principles a foundation across every vehicle built.”
Welcoming Devin Haney
2:28 to 3:02
Introduction of boxer Devin Haney and his upcoming fight.
“A show where we discuss boxing, sports, life, and entertainment from our view.”
Training Insights from Devin Haney
3:02 to 4:13
Devin discusses his training camp and mindset leading up to the fight.
“I want to welcome to the show Devin DeDream Haney.”
Weight Class Strategy
4:13 to 5:30
Devin shares his thoughts on weight classes and their impact on performance.
“You've got Denver, high altitude, LA, New York, now Saudi.”
Experience in the Ring
5:30 to 6:28
Discussing the importance of experience in boxing and upcoming fights.
“But I just think that going into this fight, he is going to be the one more focused on weight.”
Handling Fight Noise
6:28 to 7:16
Devin talks about managing external opinions after previous fights.
“You know, we can all say that, you know, it doesn't.”
Rivalry Insights
7:16 to 9:00
Exploring the nature of competition with Brian Norman leading to their fight.
“How have you been handling, Bev, just, you know, after the fight, the Ramirez fight, and even at camp, right?”
Business and Boxing
9:00 to 11:04
Devin discusses his relationship with promoter Turkey Alashik and negotiations.
“I don't really pay attention to, you know, what goes on outside the ring, because when I get there, it just doesn't matter to me.”
Training with Team
11:04 to 12:20
Devin talks about training with Mickey Bay and the benefits of teamwork.
“The only thing that matters is going in there and winning on November 22nd and looking good doing it.”
Show all 20 chapters
Fight Strategy Preview
12:20 to 13:03
Devin shares his strategic mindset for the upcoming fight.
“Deb, without giving up too much, in your mind, when you play this fight, because I know you've played it in your mind hundreds of times, how does this fight play out?”
Interview with Abdullah Mason
15:55 to 28:00
Abdullah Mason discusses his training, upcoming title fight, and experiences in boxing.
“I know you've been boxing for a very, very long time.”
Anticipating the Rematch
28:00 to 28:55
Discussion on the potential rematch between Mayweather and Pacquiao, including speculations on the fight's outcome and format.
“and I'm not moving as much and we got to stay in this phone booth more?”
The Legacy of the First Fight
28:55 to 30:54
Exploration of the significance and timing of the first Mayweather-Pacquiao fight and its impact on both fighters' legacies.
“I think the only other time that happened is when Mike Tyson either fought Lennox.”
Drug Testing Controversies
30:54 to 33:18
Discussion on the controversies surrounding drug testing in boxing and how they affected the fights between Mayweather and Pacquiao.
“about that himself, I got to respect that.”
Analyzing Fight Dynamics
33:18 to 36:00
Analysis of the dynamics of the first Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, including the perceived quality and excitement of the match.
“Man, you be coming at me, Roy, like I'm getting blinded because I'm a fan of him.”
The Importance of Undercards
36:00 to 39:27
Discussion on the significance of undercard fights and their role in enhancing the main event experience in boxing.
“And you see an older Floyd getting it the way he's gotten it, but a little bit different because he's older.”
What If Scenarios for Mayweather-Pacquiao
39:27 to 42:04
Speculation on potential outcomes if Mayweather and Pacquiao fought earlier in their careers and the implications for boxing.
“That would have been the one to give it a boost.”
Mayweather and Pacquiao: The Money Hunt
42:04 to 42:23
Discussion about Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao's potential rematch and its implications.
“And Manny Pacquiao seems to be on a revenge tour many, many years later, 10 years later, still trying to get some give back for that first fight.”
Mayweather and Pacquiao: The Money Hunt
43:24 to 43:50
Discussion about Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao's potential rematch and its implications.
“Banking fees are just a part of modern life.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed Human. You've been working in the garage with your dad every week, Monday to Sunday, trying to get the old school up and running. Today, after all the hard work, y 'all finally finished it. Even better, your dad says, all yours, son. Yep, same car that belongs to your grandpa that your dad helped him fix. It's yours. To really keep the tradition going, you need to get state farm insurance just like them. Generation to generation, remember to choose the agents that your family counted on. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Peace of mind starts with knowing what supports the journey is steady, grounded, and dependable, especially during seasons of change.
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1:20Awards based on 2025 model year, newer models may be shown. Peace to the planet. Charlemagne the Godhead. Now look, y 'all know I'm big on ownership, owning your ideas, owning your business, owning your future. And that's exactly why I use Shopify. Shopify is the platform that lets you take an idea and actually build a real business out of it. What I love is how discoverable it makes everything. Shopify puts products everywhere. People actually shop. Google, YouTube, TikTok shop, the shop app, even inside ChatGPT. You can literally go from conversation to checkout. That is the next level options in our changing world.
1:53And right now, the Black Effect storefront is busy and Shopify is handling the heavy lifting. I am excited that Shopify is going to be at our Black Effect podcast festival this year in a major way. And I will be there preaching this platform to all our small black owned businesses that partner with us. Shopify is helping drive the marketplace this year at our festival and their footprint and commitment to us and the community of black owned businesses is something I am proud to be a part of. Build your store, own your audience and create something that lasts. Start now at Shopify.com slash Breakfast Club.
2:23What up, this is your boy, Roy Jones. I'm hanging out with my man, Andre Ward. We two Hall of Famers will bring y 'all a show called The Hall of Game. A show where we discuss boxing, sports, life, and entertainment from our view. How much better than that can you get? Me and Roy don't always agree. But one thing you will get is a Hall of Fame worth the game. I want to welcome to the show a young man who was a five-time two-division world champion, former undisputed world champion, and a man who was looking to become a six-time three-division world champion, November 22nd against Brian Norman. I want to welcome to the show Devin DeDream Haney.
3:05Yes, sir. Thank y 'all for having me. You knew it. Man, brother, I appreciate you coming in and tapping in with us for a little bit. I know you're in the middle of training. How you feeling for this camp? Every camp is the same, but also different. Yeah, no, I feel great in this camp. Obviously, I went up in weight, so I'm feeling much more healthier, much more stronger, much more comfortable, more of my natural self. I'm very happy with the way that this camp has done. All the hard work is put in. I'm satisfied with the work I put in over these months. I trust in the work. I trust in my team.
3:34And now I just got to go in there and execute. As your mindset shifted, as you get deeper into camp, you start camp one way. But as you really get into it, as your mindset shifted, do you feel mean or do you feel more confident? You feel like, man, I'm ready. Yeah, I'm definitely a lot more meaner. But, you know, it just comes with it. You know, being locked in, you know, it's so much at stake. And I just want to go in there and put on a great performance, execute my game plan. So, you know, I'm making sure that everything is on point. Everybody around me is on point. And I'm not taking no point right now.
4:12Man, I feel it. And I've also seen you move camp a lot. You've got Denver, high altitude, LA, New York, now Saudi. Why a lot of movement in camp? I went to Denver for the high elevation. And then I went back to Los Angeles for my body to recover from training at the high elevation. I went back down to sea level. And then I went to New York just to break up the long flight from LA all the way to Saudi. So I didn't want to just fly all those hours straight. So I wanted to break it up a little bit. And I knocked out some media while I was there as well. You feel like this weight cut, not having to cut so much weight, you feel like that's going to be impactful here during this fight?
4:53Yeah, I mean, in my past performances, I think that I was handicapping myself. People say this weight bully stuff. I don't really believe in that because I think that I was hurting myself more than helping myself at those weight classes. And I was only staying there because it was just so much at stake. you know um fighting loma and then you know going up and then defending you know making a big fight versus ryan so you know i was staying at them weight classes for for a reason but i think that i should have been at 147 a while ago but you know god is a perfect planner and uh here i am that's awesome yeah we talk about this stuff a lot man that that weight bully stuff i don't believe in it either you know people people get it twisted they think you could just push a button and just be the bigger fighter they don't realize that that the that the bigger fighter is a guy that's losing more weight and he's got to deal with more on fight night because he drained himself more so people don't really understand that yeah i mean and and i think that that's that that that's that that would be the case um in this fight i think that uh you know brian has been at 147 his whole career you know since since he since he turned pro and um i think that he's going to be more on you know the the he's going to be more focused on cutting weight and which which obviously, you know, is boxing.
6:13He's been doing it for a while. But I just think that going into this fight, he is going to be the one more focused on weight. And I mean... So as far as experience, do you feel like your experience is going to play a major role in this fight at all? Yeah, I mean, experience is... It matters at the end of the day. You know, we can all say that, you know, it doesn't. But, you know, experience matters. You know, not only just in the actual fight, but just, you know, leading up to the fight, You know, I'm here in Saudi Arabia. I've been here for eight days now. You know, Brian Norman is still not here.
6:45But, you know, it just comes with, you know, being in big fights, you know, fighting overseas, knowing that, you know, you got to get there to acclimate, to get used to the time. Just, you know, those little things matter, you know, and it just comes with experience. And at the end of the day, you can say what you want. You know, I've been in these big moments before. I know I know what to do. so you think the experience factor may be one of the biggest keys in the fight what you think yeah i mean i think that um you know i think that skills play the bills obviously but i think that that you know experience does play you know a big key in this fight you know on top of everything i think everything matters you know skills experience weight cuts all these things you know all these things matter and uh you know i'm just trying to you know get as much of an edge with everything as as I possibly can.
7:35Very smart. How have you been handling, Bev, just, you know, after the fight, the Ramirez fight, and even at camp, right? Because people still talking. How have you handled the noise around that fight? And how do you look at that fight looking back? I looked at it like that's a guy who went through a tough fight against, you know, Ryan Garcia, and you still got some residue and you still trying to figure it out. I've been there, Roy been there. That's what I looked at it as. But how do you, what is your takeaway from that fight being so far removed from it? No matter what, it's all noise. You know, rather they saying that, you know, I put on a great performance and I did what I was supposed to, or they saying that I ran or I didn't put on the best performance.
8:13You know, at the end of the day, it's all noise. And it's the same. Rather they saying good things or they saying bad things, it's noise. I can't focus too much on it. That's one fight. And now I got to focus on this fight. What I did in the Loma fight, it don't matter in this fight. I can't take that with me. You know, what I did in the Ryan fight, I can't take that with me. What I did in the Ramirez fight, I can't take that with me. I got to perform on November 22nd. And that's just my main focus on performing. Is it real bad blood between the Haney's and the Normans? It's been a lot of talk.
8:43Is it just building the fight and just competitiveness because we getting ready to get it in? Or do y 'all really not like each other? It don't matter to me. At the end of the day, he can say what he want to say. I'm just going to go in there and do what I'm going to do regardless. He can do whatever he's going to do regardless. He can go in there and try to execute his game plan. And I'm going to do the same thing. So it don't really matter. I don't really pay attention to, you know, what goes on outside the ring, because when I get there, it just doesn't matter to me. Like, I don't even think about that type of shit.
9:09So it don't it don't matter. So to build up pops going back and forth, his pops talking, you can you can engage in it. But you saying when you step through the ropes, that's no longer an issue. Yeah, I mean, it's just I've been doing this for a long time now. And, you know, I've I've had a lot of back and forth in the sport. and for not getting a ring, it just don't matter. You can go in there, you can say what you want to Lomachenko. He don't even understand you. So it don't matter. These things do not matter at this top level. So it doesn't matter. He understood that damn push. I bet you that.
9:47Right, right. Let me ask you a question about Turkey. It seems from afar that you got a good relationship with him. It's a man that shook up the game. He's bringing a lot of money and capital to the game, and he's putting on big fights. What has been your relationship with Turkey Alashik since he's been in the game? We got a good relationship because, you know, I'm not the type of fighter that's looking for the easy fights or, you know, I'm looking to just get some easy money. I'm looking to fight the best fighters in the world. So I think that he respects me for that. You know, a lot of these guys, they're trying to pick and choose and trying to, you know, just trying to milk the game.
10:21But, you know, I want to fight the best fighters in the world. I want to prove that I'm the best. So I think he just ain't got no choice but to respect it. And I respect you for that because I've been respecting you for that since you went over to Australia and took the belts from the Australian at such a young age. So I do respect you for that, and I respect you for taking on challenges like a brand normal because you didn't have to do that, but you're doing it. So you are proving that you're trying to bring the old-school style back, the best fight the best, and you want to be the best. So that says a lot, and I do respect you for that.
10:50Thank you. Now, they say when you're dealing with Turkey, it ain't really a lot of negotiation. He normally bring a number that's hard to say no to. And then it's a quick transaction and y 'all move on. Is that true? Yeah, I mean, I'm happy. I'm happy with everything, the business part of it. But like I said, none of that matters. The only thing that matters is going in there and winning on November 22nd and looking good doing it. The business is already taken care of. All that is behind me. now the business in the ring is what i need to take care of now how has it been having mickey bay back in camp man that's that's my olympic teammate good brother of mine great trainer how's it been having mick back in camp with you yeah no it's good um you know we come from the same teachings of floyd senior so um it's good to to to have him you know back in camp and uh like i said i'm happy with the way the camp is going um and i'm ready you feel different dev at at this higher weight you feel different physically your punch yeah physicality i think uh i feel i feel better um you know my i'm punching harder i'm sharper mentally um i think my punch resistance would be a lot better um i just think that i'm just i'm just more of my more of my natural self i think that you know i would be in camp and i would be super super duper sharp and then um you know the weight would you know handicap me and i would i wouldn't be the same me on fight night that I would be in the gym.
12:17Right now, I'm normal. I'm the same. It's insane. I'm still, you know, it's no different. Deb, without giving up too much, in your mind, when you play this fight, because I know you've played it in your mind hundreds of times, how does this fight play out? I think people are going to be very surprised with how I beat this guy. I don't want to give away too much, but I'm going to beat him. I'm going to beat him all around the board. I think they're going to be surprised. they're gonna be surprised for sure i know that it's not even i don't think i know they're gonna be surprised because i'm just all around complete fighter and i want to show that i'm gonna fight when i want to fight i'm gonna box when i want to box i'm gonna do what i want on november 22nd and he's not gonna be able to stop it i could tell him what i'm gonna do and he's not gonna be able to stop it sound like you ready to fight good brother i appreciate the time man we wanted to get you out of here on time and uh thank you for stopping by for a few minutes on the hall of game I want to welcome to the Hall of Game a young man who quickly became the best prospect in the sport of boxing now he's a top contender in the sport of boxing now he's trying to become the best fighter in the sport of boxing I want to welcome to the show Cleveland's Own, Abdullah Mason Abdullah, I appreciate you taking the time I know you at camp, brother but thank you for taking some time with us today I appreciate y 'all for having me on here it's amazing to be able to be on this podcast with you and Roy you know thank you the wait was worth it positive affirmations and all the hard work the keys to your dream home from the vision board have been secured i see you a whole new future awaits your planning from top-notch decor but on a budget to the late night backyard summer cookouts life feels good now comes time to fill it with memories what will you host first maybe a movie night game night stories that make us laugh in space tournaments that make us cry first you need to get movers and new furniture and what about party favors will there be a theme of course it's a theme because you're always doing the most oh yeah the food to cook or to order out don't forget to put it in the group chat so everyone can already see who all gonna be there all the planning can be stressful but ensuring your home shouldn't be and that's where state farm comes in because state farm agents can help you choose the coverage you need just call go online or check out the app any agent is ready to help so you can focus on showing off your new home if you know you know Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.
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15:39What if your soda actually did something for you? Introducing Sky Pop Protein Soda. Sky Pop Protein Soda has 10 grams of complete protein, zero sugar, and real delicious soda taste. Sky Pop Protein Soda. Reach for the sky. Get your Sky Pop Protein Soda now at Target or Walmart. This is your first world title fight. I know you've been boxing for a very, very long time. Has anything been different in this camp? How has this camp felt thus far? This camp has felt amazing. nothing's been too different the main thing the main takeaway i would say is i started this year out on eight rounders and this will be a 12 round fight so we just been learning and upping it as we go you know um more of the same stuff though you know just make sure we're doing more and more of the same are you in vegas you are you in cleveland where's camp at i'm in cleveland yeah i'm in cleveland ohio yeah the hometown man it november 22nd it's it's a four title fight card it's a card for boxing fans the boxing fan i'm excited i'm sure roy is excited about it just every single title fight you just want to see what's going to happen but you're not on this card as a a prospect you're not you're not on this card just just on the undercard just trying to get your name out there your name is out there and you're carrying your own weight this time in your world title fight how does it feel to be fighting in saudi in a card of this magnitude i feel like this fight This one's going to be a little bit different, you know, with it being in Saudi and a circumstances for world championship fights.
17:08But everything is kind of more the same. Every time I fight is like another step closer, every fight is my biggest fight from from the moment I turn pro until now. Every fight has been like my biggest fight. So I think this is going to be the same thing. But the main takeaway is just staying focused, just like every other fight, not doing nothing different. Because with the same focus and the right preparation, you know, everything, you know, turned out how it's supposed to turn out. I'm going to get one more and I'm going to let Roy jump in. Sam Noakes is in a similar position as you, but in the UK.
17:38Prospect, now contender. He's got a lot of excitement where he's from. When did you first start getting wind of Sam Noakes, possible WBO title fight? When did you first start hearing about this title fight? I started hearing about this, the fight week of my last fight. So the last fight, you know, I don't remember if it was right after or right before, but fight week, I know that he was ranked number two in a division. I was ranked number one in the division. And then you had the title holder. So now I'm ranked number one. He's ranked number two. And the title was up for grabs. It's only right.
18:10That's good. So when you rate yourself amongst the top guys around that weight class right now, how do you see yourself? Do you see yourself at the top of it? Number two, number three. how you feel about it oh absolutely um as far as all the active fighters you know in in my division i feel like i am you know the top of my division so we just got to keep fighting and keep proving that you know what time is going to show after you win this title this will be your first title and for me that was my best my favorite accomplishment was becoming world champion but after that i quickly wanted to be the best in my weight division and only way you can prove that Canada is by going and collecting all the other titles if they're available.
18:49So if that's a possibility, who would you take next? I don't know who I'll take next. But right now, you know, this puts me in the position to be able to face those other title holders. But the first thing's first is to grab my world title and then, you know, go back in there with the team and, you know, figure it all out from there. Awesome. Now, maybe I may come out here and ask you some more questions about how you did it yourself. I'm always here to answer. Abdullah, when you see Sam Nook, when you first turn on his fights, what do you see? What jumps out at you about him? Durable. He liked to punch.
19:21When I say that, I mean he liked to put his power behind his punches. He liked to come forward and let his hands go. He's definitely durable. He walked through some punches that I've seen, some other fighters touching him. He'd get hit with some clean stuff, but he's pretty durable. And when he let his go, he liked to shoot with his power. You faced some adversity. Some would say, well, you know, Mason has only gone six rounds. Now he's going 12 rounds. How is he going to fare if it's a tough fight for a 12-round duration? But you have faced some adversity against Johan Vasquez. And, bro, that was a crazy, crazy fight.
19:57Crazy round and a half or two rounds. Take me back to that moment where you're in the corner in the first round and you actually were defensively sound. you talked about before the fight landing the uppercut because Vasquez you know leans over his feet a lot and he kind of lunges and that's that's one to me in my opinion one of your best punches you throw is that left uppercut you were trying to land that you actually had your hand up you actually were doing the right thing but somehow his wild left hook snuck through and hits you on the chin down goes Mason when you hit the canvas what are you thinking at that moment that's me being a fighter in there you know at the level that i'm at you know and uh what everybody see for me it was definitely shocking like you know standing up from that and a ref counting like whoa the ref he actually counting you know not for him but i'm down i don't know that right right yeah it was definitely even another you know realization of where i'm at like you know as far as you know what i'm ready for in a pros you know the preparation that we go through for that to happened to me to come back the way I did you know and get him out of there in the next round you know it just lets me know that everything we're doing is right so we just got to make sure we stay and focus on it and we still learn as we go but you didn't just get him out of there in the next round you dropped him shortly after you got dropped then he dropped you again right and then you got him out of there in the next round brother like that's probably one of the worst things that can happen to a young prospect but yet one of the best things that can happen to a young prospect all at the same time.
21:31Is that how you and your father and your team took that when it was all said and done? Yeah, when it was all said and done, it was definitely something that added. It added more to my game than anything. You know, that's something you got to bounce back and come crazy off of. And that's what I did, not just during a fight, but in the coming fights after that. The main takeaway was just make sure I'm listening to my corner. You know, the main thing that they've been telling me was, you know, watch your opponent, slow it down, keep your eyes on them. And that's the main thing I just had to do then.
21:57And so it just put me in position to remember that for the rest of my fights and all the fights to come. I just thought that was a great experience for you. To have that experience early before you even get a title shot makes it good. Because now you know what that is if you have to face it again. So I think that was a brilliant move. What guys fail to realize is that the better you pick your opponents, the better they're going to have you prepared for when this opportunity comes. So I think that was a great preparation for what you're about to face now. Because now most guys don't deal with it until they've got to build around their waist.
22:27you dealt with a lot of it so you know what to expect so that's a beautiful thing i think yeah i agree with that you don't know what you have until it's tested you can think that you're him you can think that you know i can walk through anything i've done this in a gym as y 'all know gym is a lot different than a real fight under the light small gloves no head gear obviously it's not scripted anything can happen so i think that that is on paper boxing people look at that like oh there's a question mark they start having a chin question and they don't realize that anybody can go down if you get touched right on that chin or get touched right on the temple or wherever but the response that you had that's championship caliber type of stuff in here and in here and i agree with roy that that's that's one of the best things that could have happened to you going into a fight with a guy like notes who you know can punch and it's going be very, very durable.
23:21So I think that came right on time. Absolutely. Tell me this champ. I know you have your brothers in camp. I know you have your father in camp, who's the head of everything. What's the average day for y 'all in training camp? Who decides the schedule? How many rounds you you spar? How many miles you run? Everybody puts in on it. You know, everybody pushes me, you know, in training camp. So I would say we have like a, we would have like a regular program. And one day somebody might ask them, yo, let's do this today. And you know, we do that. I'd be like, all right let's let's go ahead with that and you know but everybody adds in a they two cents and even me i push myself in training camp you know sometimes i might go a few extra rounds or whatever but um it all comes together because i have them and they see what they see and i see what i see you know i feel the way i feel we all kind of know what pushes me and what makes me feel better so we all just kind of just it's it's a few different eyes you know i got four or five different pairs of eyes looking at one person so that's right you know it's definitely a plus are you a mean guy in camp i used to get mean i used to not every day days with jay don't want to talk today like are you a guy that's like that are you happy and can't what type of person are you in training camp in training camp it's pretty much the same person but um sometimes when i start my boxing workouts it you know uh i lock in a little more you've also not only had in-ring experience but you spar with a lot of tough guys, champions and his whispers in the boxing game.
24:48And, you know, man, Abdullah, man, he sparred so-and-so, man. And guess what happened? Oh yeah? What's some of the best work that you've had when you got out of the ring and you was like, man, that was good work? Off the top, I would say Tony Harrison. He was great work. I was in there with him for a few training camps and he gave me exactly what I needed. But I didn't spar too many world champions like that. You know, as everybody knows, I was in camp with Shakur. That's before I turned pro. And then I sparred Haney once and a few other pros. Like in the beginning, when I kind of first started entering the pro scene.
25:20So for me, it kind of just more solidified where I am in my career, right? With the skill set that I had and where I could go. You know, being in the ring, sharing the ring with them. I kind of seen the level that I was at. I'm like, okay, yeah, I can take this pretty far. Well, I'm not going to share no intimate details, but I will say this. I've heard that you are not a guy that takes it easy in sparring. You're a guy that gets to it, and, you know, you give just as much as you get, man. So, brother, we're excited about this fight coming up. We really appreciate you taking the time out to spend some time on the Hall of Game.
25:56We're excited to talk to you after the fight because, you know, it's going to be a little bit different when you get that strap. You're going to be moving a little bit different. You're going to be sounding a little bit different. and you're going to be feeling a little bit different. So we want to tap in with you at that time, brother. Thank you so much. Send love to the family. Send love to your brothers and your father, man. Thank you so much. Absolutely. Thank y 'all for having me on. We're going to have a lot of fun. It is. We're going to have a lot of fun. It is. November 22nd. It's around the corner.
26:18Yes, sir. Bro, that was a great interview with Abdullah Mason. I'm excited about this fight, his title fight. It's always a beautiful thing to see a young guy like him. He's a blue chip type of guy who has star qualities getting that first shot. but I want to shift gears. I want to talk about something that seems to be more than a rumor. It's been confirmed even by Manny Pacquiao, but it's been confirmed by, by many credible sources that a potential Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao rematch is on the horizon. Floyd Mayweather is 48 years old. Manny Pacquiao is 46 years old. And when I interviewed Manny on the art of ward in a summer this year, I asked Manny about Floyd Mayweather, and it seemed like he still wanted a lot of smoke with Floyd.
27:09Like there was unfinished business. And initially Floyd came out and said, no, it's not going to happen. But you know how it works with the money, man. And you know how it works with most fighters. If the right network gets involved, if the right numbers start to get talked about, all of a sudden something that didn't make sense starts to make a lot of sense. So what's your read or your take or your feel about a potential Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather, two at this stage in their lives at 48 and 46 years old? Like you just said, if it makes dollars, it makes sense. You saw what Mike Tyson did at 58 with Jake Paul.
27:50It made sense, which made dollars. So this fight will make dollars, so it makes sense. That's how I see it. But the actual fight, do we get a better fight because the fighters are older and I'm not moving as much and we got to stay in this phone booth more? How do you see a rematch playing out now? Yeah, I think we get a little bit of a better fight. It's kind of hard to say because Floyd always stays in pretty good shape himself. Manny got in pretty good shape for his last fight, so we make it a little bit more of an interesting fight because of the fact that everybody can't move like they used to.
28:25but outcome probably should still be the same now the fight is is rumored to be somewhere around april it's all rumors at this point nothing is is concrete potentially at the sphere this would be the first boxing match at the sphere and netflix is reportedly involved i think that would be amazing i think everybody including floyd may with them any pack y 'all have seen how pay-per-view is dying or that's a um you know that's a format that that that is dying so to speak and the streaming service the broader audience like a netflix can put you in front of more households casual fans and hardcore fans alike many pacquiao and floyd mayweather initially fought in 2015 now that's a fight that that many felt was long overdue it was many said that it came too late.
29:19It was the fight of the century. Showtime had to come together with HBO. I think the only other time that happened is when Mike Tyson either fought Lennox. Was it Lennox? That was Lennox Lewis. The only other time that I'm aware that this has happened with HBO and Showtime was with rival networks is Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis. And to your point and to my point, again, if it makes dollars, it makes sense. So don't tell me that we hate each other so much that we can't come to the table. many Pacquiao Floyd Mayweather happened in 2015 I'm not of the mind that it happened too late we just had a dollars and cents conversation when the fight was initially brought up the numbers that they were talking and the money that was available was far less than they made in 2015 is it prize fighting or is it prize fighting if i can make 100 or 150 floyd may with is rumored to have made between 250 and 300 manny pacquiao maybe 150 to 200 maybe that's a 40 to 80 million conversation and a 30 to 60 million conversation for manny pacquiao because floyd got the lion's share i believe it was somewhere around 60 40 i think the fight happened when it was supposed to happen?
30:36What say you, Roy? For the prize, yeah, I think it happened when it was supposed to happen for the prize, but for the legacy, no, it happened five years too late. Just as simple as that. But like I said, he is money made whether he ain't fighting for the legacy, he's fighting for the prize. And he said that himself. So I understand that. And I respect that because he did tell the truth about that. Anytime a man can tell the truth about that himself, I got to respect that. He said he didn't fight for legacy, he fought for currency. And he did the right thing if that was the case because that's what my argument was to me was I said, I could have never done that because I was too crazy about legacy.
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31:07I wasn't going to fight for currency, so I did like currency too. But legacy, I couldn't sleep at night if I thought somebody was better than me in my weight class. I just couldn't do it. That's just who I was, though. And that's just how I chose to use mine. He got the opportunity to use his how he wanted to. So he waited five years to make the money go up. Very smart. I mean, for what he was doing, he did the right thing. And now for them to come together and even get an even bigger purse on Netflix is even more brilliant. So I think, once again, he's being the brilliant guy that he is. He's one of the most brilliant guys to ever touch the sport when it comes to making money.
31:39He's the GOAT at making money in boxing. I'll never take that away from him. He's the best ever at knowing how to do things at the right time to maximize the currency. He's the GOAT at that, without a question. But it wasn't just the money that was an issue or a reason why the fight wasn't made. There were conversations about drug testing, which is extremely important. Now, I'm not going to get into the details or go into the weeds about who was right, who was wrong, who wanted it, who didn't want it, you got to do your research on that. But there was a conversation around that. And if that's a sticking point, if either fighter does not want to get drug testing, that's a problem.
32:16Yeah, it's a problem if somebody don't want to get drug testing. That definitely is a problem in most cases, depending on who you are. But, yeah, it could be a problem for some people. And, like, again, I'm going to be honest with you, I think, like I said, I understand where you're going with it. And to me, you still, y 'all all like to like make an excuse for the situation for it not happening. But to me, I'm going to just keep it 100 with you. If I got to wait till you get knocked out, forget that drug test. If I got to wait till you get knocked out by somebody else before I fight you, there was something about you that I didn't want to see.
32:47I don't care what nobody says. So you can say what you want. If you're at your peak over here, either you're going to take this test or we're going to both go do the same thing because we're going to fight one way or the other. So either I'm going to go, you're going to take a test, or I'm going to go do what I think you're doing, and we're going to fight. I'm going to make that fight happen some way, if that's what we're about. You understand where I'm coming from? If that's what we're about. That didn't happen until he got knocked out by Marquez. As soon as he got knocked out by Marquez, now the fight all of a sudden happened.
33:13Come on, bro. So that's the reason you think it happened. So you think if the Marquez knockout doesn't happen, we don't get Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather won? We don't. Man, you be coming at me, Roy, like I'm getting blinded because I'm a fan of him. Because I understand what you're saying. You're being a diplomat about it, and that's your boy, and I understand that. And I'm cool with that. I'm not saying that he's not one of the greatest fighters to fight. He's a great fighter. Just like you said earlier, you were talking about people testing themselves. I just felt like he never tested himself.
33:40You understand me? So if you don't test yourself, I can't call you to go until you test yourself. You tested yourself twice. You fought Kovalev, then you went back in and fought him again. You understand me? You tested yourself. You have been battle tested. You came from the floor the first time and beat him. You understand me? Then you can't make up for him again and beat him worse. You understand me? So it's like you yourself even have been battle tested. The man has never been battle tested, bro. I don't care what y 'all tell me. I'm not going to bow down to nobody. I don't care what people say I hate.
34:09I'm not hating. I'm just calling it like I see it. You understand me? I'm entitled to my own opinion. You feel me? If you haven't been battle tested, I can't put you in my brood pen. You understand what I'm coming from? I just can't. But you can't say a man ain't been battle-tested when he's been fighting his whole life. Like I just said, I can't put you in my brood pen if I ain't seen you in a struggle where I thought it was 50-50 and you had to really go pull out the mud. When you fought Kovalev, it was 50-50 and you had to pull out the mud. You understand where I'm coming from? I ain't never seen you in a 50-50 where you had to pull out the mud.
34:40So you have not been battle-tested. I'm sorry. That's real. That's reality. And it's not about me being diplomatic. I don't really know Floyd like that. Me and Floyd, cool, but that's not like... you know, a guy that's like been a mentor to me or nothing like that. So it's not, it's not, I'm not that deep in the weeds. And I get what you're saying. That's a fair point about the Manny Pacquiao situation. That's a fair point. I'm not, I'm not going against that, but there were other issues that we got to also, you know what I'm saying? The drug testing was a thing. I just, for me, it's not about being diplomatic.
35:11I just try not to, for me, when I start pointing the finger at somebody about, man, you ain't want to fight that dude. Like if it's clear to me that you don't want to fight this dude and there's no other reasons why there's nothing in the way of you fighting this man but you just saying yes and signing that contract it's a lot easier for me to come on camera and come on a record and say bro you don't want to fight this dude but if i know what some other issues going on plus the issue you just named about man i maybe see some smoke that i don't know if i want to deal with right now it's hard for me to land on one point and say this is the reason that's just how i roll i do broadcasting and podcasting like i fought i'm a surgeon i'm strategic and i don't like to waste nothing and i understand that i don't care i'm wild i go all in you know me i'll try anything i don't care i'm gonna say what i feel i'm gonna do what i want that's just who i am so i mean i'm sorry but that's just my way of seeing it but let's talk a little bit about that first fight because again maybe maybe i'm in a minority but you called that fight there was a joint broadcast between showtime hbo um i was on an international feed with mario ranalo we called internationally and I didn't think it was an all-time great fight but I thought it was a good fight I didn't think it was a terrible fight it's not the fighters fault if you dub it the fight of the century I think we should stop dubbing fights the fight of the decade the fight of the century until they actually fight and we see if they deliver in that kind of way but for me being a boxing fan for me sitting ringside that was a high level fight Floyd got buzzed twice in that fight There was danger, in my opinion, from Manny Pacquiao most of the way in the fight that if Floyd make a mistake, he can get clipped, he can get knocked out.
36:48And you see an older Floyd getting it the way he's gotten it, but a little bit different because he's older. So I enjoyed the fight, though it wasn't an all-time great fight. It was a good fight. I mean, it was a decent fight for the fans to see. And I was glad that the fans actually got the fight because the fans have been wanting it for so long. so i was very appreciative that he finally made it happen because so many people wanted that fight to happen you know so i was glad that he did that and uh only other thing i could have said was like i don't i'm not i don't ever want to be considered a debbie downer type guy but i thought it was a great idea only thing i thought they should have did different differently was i thought they should have put because i knew that was going to be a historic night and a historic fight so for the sport of boxing, I thought they should have put Rigondow versus Loma on that same card.
37:36That would be great. First time two gold, two two-time gold medalists ever met in the sport of boxing, ever in the history of the sport. And it would have been great on that night because they were going to captivate so many fans on that night because, man, it brings a whole continent with him. And with that being said, it would have been beautiful to also make history by putting those two guys as the co-main event because both of those guys were at their peak at that time too, and you could have paid them what they wanted because y 'all was going to make so much money. So it would have been a beautiful thing, and the whole world, the whole boxing world would have left unsatisfied, even if the fight with Manny Pacquiao and Floyd didn't turn to be what some people wanted it to be.
38:16You understand me? That's the only thing I thought. Other than that, I thought it was a great night, and like I said, for the people that wanted it, I'm glad they finally got it. I never thought that Manny at that point really could catch up with Floyd enough to really beat Floyd. Manny came from 108, so I never thought Manny was going to beat Floyd. Floyd, but I still want to see the fight happen with Manny was at his peak because Manny started at 108. You understand me? So that tells you he's not the massive of a man that Floyd is. But, I mean, to make it happen and get the fans what they wanted to see, Anytime was great.
38:44So I do agree with you on that. Anytime was great to make the fight happen because the fans, it brought fans together. It gave fans what they wanted. But all I was worried about, or all I was concerned with, my main concern was that if we got this many fans interested in boxing, let's give them the most. Let's give them two-time gold medalists versus one another on the undercard. They're not going to outshine you. You floor it. Maybe with this man, they back out. But give them, give the boxing world something. If you're going to make all this money through it, give something back. That's all I was saying.
39:15I agree with that. You had to know. I don't think they, the networks and the fighters, knew exactly how much money they were going to make because the pay-per-view has to come in and settle in. But you knew it was going to be massive. Of course. fight did over 600 million in total revenue uh at that time broke pay-per-view records at 4.6 million views and the fighters made you know substantial amount of money career highs for both guys there was money to have a better undercard but we stopped having great undercards long time ago you look at some of the don king undercards back in the day he was pulling the turkey ala chic before there was a turkey ala chic where you have three or four killers on the card championship level fights where not just the co-main sometimes our co-mains don't even hit the way they're supposed to leading into the main event but don king can have four or five or six like like excellent fights championship fights guys that that are legends on the card we stopped doing that a long time ago yeah we stopped doing it but when you're gonna captivate when you know that that's also the reason box has took a decline because we stopped doing that that's why it has kind of where it is now, but when you had a chance to give it a little bit of a boost, I think you should have taken advantage of that.
40:28That would have been the one to give it a boost. Because you had 4.6 million that you know about. Now you count the one that was there in the house or in them areas where them 4.6 million were, you're going to have 10.6 million. You understand me? So you had an opportunity to serve boxing well while you got paid tremendously for it. I mean, you had center stage. And you didn't really take advantage of it. That's the only thing I didn't like. But I'm glad the fight happened when it happened because people really had wanted to see that fight for a long time, and I'm just glad that they finally got it.
40:59And now they get to get it again. Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather happens three years, four years earlier. What's that outcome? I don't know the outcome. I'm not going to say the outcome would have even been different. I don't know that for a fact, but I'm just saying that that was a time to really go out and show and tell because Pacquiao was at his peak. That was a time to go out and get it. You understand? If you're going to show it that you can beat him, beat him at his peak. Don't beat him after he got knocked out because that don't count now in the real book. You feel me? You waited until he got knocked out.
41:24That doesn't say much for us, for real people. You know what I mean? And I'm not, like I said, I'm not saying it would have been different. I'm not going to say, I don't know that he could have beat Floyd. I'm not saying that. You know, I'm not, like I said, people think I'm going to floor at me with a hater. No, I'm not. I'm not a hater at all. I'm just telling them what the facts are. You understand me? The only reason I say the things that I say is because I know what the facts are. And the way I look at people and the way I've been in this thing a long time. Before him, before a lot of people, I know from what I saw.
41:53And what I saw people do before me was challenge themselves. And I know when you challenge yourself. Well, we're going to see if May Pack 2 happens, how this thing is going to end. The money man, Floyd Mayweather, seems to be on the money hunt again. And Manny Pacquiao seems to be on a revenge tour many, many years later, 10 years later, still trying to get some give back for that first fight. So we'll see if it happens. I want it to happen, and I'm excited to see if it happens. You've been working in the garage with your dad every week, Monday to Sunday, trying to get the old school up and running.
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From the publisher
RING IV brings fireworks with Devin Haney and Abdullah Mason both lacing up for action on the year’s most stacked card. Haney & Mason sit down with Andre Ward & Roy Jones to discuss their upcoming bouts, and what to expect in the future. Also, could Mayweather vs. Pacquiao II actually happen? Dre & Roy give their take on the possibility of a sequel to the biggest fight of all time, and if it’s really worth it.
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