Greetings. David Mayo from The Grand Rapids Press here.
Floyd Mayweather's ring record lists venue for his 3-12-97 fight vs. Kino Rodriguez as "Grand Ballroom" in Grand Rapids, which sounds like a nice place, except I don't think it exists.
The fight was at Stadium Arena. It was the final sporting event there before it was closed, renovated, and renamed DeltaPlex.
I can't send you a link to the story I wrote that night, because it's 10 years back in the computer archives and you have to pay to retrieve it, but I can pull it up myself. Here's a copy. E-mail me at [email protected] if you need any additional verification:
By David Mayo
The Grand Rapids Press
Their homecoming was all "The Fighting Mayweathers" could've hoped.
An involved crowd cheered the Mayweathers to a three-bout sweep, venerable Stadium Arena enjoyed a rousing final sports event before undergoing sweeping renovation, and Top Rank officials were pleased with 2,346 paid on three weeks' notice.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. scored a first-round technical knockout on a body punch, and his uncles, Roger and Jeff, were also winners on the six-fight card.
"I knew that every time I threw a punch, whether it landed or not, people were cheering for me," said Jeff Mayweather, an eight-round decision winner over Eric Jakubowski. "There's nothing like being home.
"I looked out in the audience and saw people I hadn't seen in years. People came out and supported us, and I appreciate it."
Roger Mayweather scored the most crowd-pleasing victory of the night.
The two-time former world champion coaxed his 35-year-old legs to carry him to a 12th-round technical knockout over a battered Carlos Miranda.
Mayweather dominated throughout before he stopped Miranda at 2:51 of the 12th - nine seconds before the final bell.
"I loved it," he said. "I'm tired of fighting in everybody else's back yard. Fighting at home is a privilege for me."
Both Roger and his 33-year-old brother Jeff hinted at retirement, but stopped short.
After Floyd Mayweather Jr. produced the family's final victory, the three walked around the ring together, hands raised in salute.
"To the people who came out, I really appreciate it," said Floyd, the 20-year-old Olympic bronze medalist. "People here like me because of my amateur success, but now, as a professional, I think my people in Grand Rapids will really support me."
The success of the local promotion encouraged Top Rank officials.
"I don't know how the audience enjoyed it," said Top Rank's Todd duBoef, "but we consider this a foundation."
Floyd Mayweather Jr. has an exclusive promotional contract with Top Rank, of Las Vegas.
The Mayweather highlight belonged to Roger (56-12, 36 KOs).
After a hectic two days of medical examinations in Las Vegas, a red-eye flight to Grand Rapids, and a day-of-fight battle with the welterweight limit, Roger relied on his vast knowledge to dismantle Miranda (16-2).
Mayweather-Miranda was for an International Boxing Association title, which was not much publicized, for good reason. IBA rules adherance became clear Wednesday.
Welterweight limit is 147 pounds. Roger Mayweather weighed 149 - and that after reducing from 151.
Miranda's handlers, chasing any kind of belt, approved the fight.
That's not usually an option. But it's the IBA.
An unencumbered Mayweather jab began to close Miranda's right eye early. That opened the way for a left hook which pounded the Grand Forks, N. D., fighter.
All the while, Roger Mayweather looked fruitlessly to land the punch that made him famous - his crushing right cross.
"I really wanted to hit him with the right hand," he said, "but the right hand never really played a factor in the fight until the last round. "
A Mayweather right staggered Miranda midway through the 12th.
Moments later, another right, followed quickly by a left hook, sent Miranda sprawling across the ropes. Another left hook produced the fight's only knockdown.
"I hit him with a right hand-left hook and I saw him kind of crumble," Mayweather said. "When he got hit, he was hurt, and it was just a matter of time. I couldn't let the guy off the hook."
Miranda beat the count, but with his right eye nearly closed and his nose badly cut by a left hook in the 11th, he was not allowed to continue by referee Frank Garza.
"He used me for target practice," said Miranda, who trailed on the scorecards 8-3, 9-2 and 10-1 through the 11th. "I worked on not just standing in front of his jab, but that's what I did. I can't say enough. He was just popping me. He took me out. He did his job and I didn't."
Floyd Mayweather Jr. almost didn't have time for a job assessment, which is an assessment in itself. When he landed a left hook to Kino Rodriguez' ribs, the junior lightweight from North Hollywood, Calif., buckled.
Rodriguez (9-10-2) just beat the count at nine, but couldn't continue.
The fight was the youngest Mayweather's first scheduled six-rounder.
"I'd like to go six rounds sometime, but I can't get any rounds in," Mayweather said after his fourth KO in five pro victories. "I can't help it. I'm in there to win. Top Rank says I'm their next rising star, behind (Oscar) De La Hoya, and I want to prove I am that kind of star."
Jeff Mayweather won't ever achieve that type of stardom, but will be remembered as a competent, reliable pro. He improved to 32-10-5 with a workmanlike whipping of Jakubowski (12-5), whose right eyelid was sliced late in the junior welterweight bout.
Jeff enjoyed the experience as much as anyone. "This was actually my coming-out party," he said. "I know Floyd's going to fight here again, and Roger was fortunate enough to fight here once before in his career (in 1984). This is probably the only time I'll ever get to fight in my hometown.
"It meant a lot to me."
