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Mayweather Expresses Interest in Jump to MMA
Story reported by Brian Cantor of Headline Planet
Saturday, December 22 2007
The top name in boxing says he is considering mixed martial arts

Fresh off a victory over Ricky Hatton that aired in front of 850,000 pay-per-view buyers, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is talking about jumping from boxing to mixed martial arts.

Mayweather's adviser Leonard Ellerbe told ESPN.com that the "pretty boy" recently met with Mark Cuban about aligning with the Mavericks owner's HDNet Fights.

"It's definitely something he is interested in, and when Floyd makes his move, obviously it's going to be a mega event," said Ellerbe in the interview. "We don't have a timetable. Floyd is taking some time off, but Floyd understands what is involved. You have to take time to go out and understand what you're getting involved in, and he's ready to do that. But it's something he's definitely interested in doing."

Mayweather and Cuban, who developed a friendship during filming for the most recent wave of "Dancing with The Stars," met Thursday to discuss a possible relationship.

"Floyd is considering fighting with HDNet Fights," said Mark Cuban, also to ESPN.com. "We are going to let him visit some gyms to talk to some folks about what it would take to learn. He knows it won't be easy. But he is getting involved with MMA and HDNet Fights one way or another. He is pumped about it. He wants to go on to the next big thing. Floyd is a brilliant marketer. He follows the money."

Cuban noted that he believes Mayweather would definitely fight for a $30 million purse; if that did not become available, Cuban could see Mayweather assisting younger fighters as a boxing trainer.

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