While Ronda Rousey has found herself the target of more than her fair share of detractors after her KO loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193, she’s now got a surprising name popping up as a supporter: Floyd Mayweather.
This past year has been rife with Rousey-Mayweather talk, with Rousey taking a verbal shot at his domestic abuse past after the ESPYs, coming after Mayweather said he didn’t know who she was, but despite that, Mayweather is now offering the former champion his assistance.
In an interview with FightHype.com, Mayweather said he’s willing to work with Rousey on her boxing if she wants and/or needs it.
“I want Ronda Rousey to hold her head up high and don’t let this discourage you,” he said. “If you need help as far as with boxing, I’m here to help you. It’s all about timing and inches. Her ground game is unbelievable. She’ll be okay. You know, but I’m waiting for the comeback of Jon Jones and the other guy that Jon Jones faced before [Daniel Cormier]. I would love to sponsor those guys. I look forward to working with a lot of MMA fighters as far as teaching them boxing techniques. It’s the little small things in contact sports that can take you to that next level.”
As for how to handle Rousey after this loss, Mayweather believes the UFC would be better off building her back up than running right into a rematch and the top spot.
“Me as a former fighter, I think that she needs some time off to regroup and refocus,” he said. “I think they’re rushing her. They need to build Ronda Rousey back up, her confidence back up, even though I think she’s probably still confident. Let Holly fight, defend the title a few times, and build it. That’s what I would do, looking at it as being a former fighter and now promoter. I wouldn’t rush it.”
Penick’s Analysis: Certainly an interesting ally at this point. Still, Rousey may be able to learn more and improve in her boxing with an elite competitor who won’t coddle her and tell her she’s the best striker in the world. There’s a serious failing on the part of Edmond Tarverdyan to drill into her that everything she was doing was correct and that she was going to be able to contend as a boxer as well. She’s certainly improved that aspect of her game, but against a legitimate, technically sound striker such as she ran into in Holm, it proved how far from that level she actually is at this point. I doubt she takes Mayweather up on his offer, nor am I convinced it’s a serious offer, but these are certainly interesting comments from a former verbal foe.
[Photo (c) Jason da Silva via USA Today Sports]
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