People love him or absolutely hate him: Floyd "Money" Mayweather stands as a polarizing personality who knows how to equally entertain and chafe the public.

One issue that's not up for debate, though, is his skills and domination over the boxing sport. Mayweather has an undefeated record and is a six-division world champion. He is also arguably one of the best boxers of all time and is often described as a "future hall of famer." On May 1st, Mayweather seeks yet again to put it all on the line in his bout against Shane "Sugar" Mosley.

Mayweather, who hails from Grand Rapids, Mich., but has long since relocated to Las Vegas, is likely not who you think he is. Yes, flashy and ostentatious may be in his DNA, but trust when I say that is who he'd like you to see.

The progeny of such skilled and egomaniacal living boxing legends, Floyd Sr. and Roger Mayweather, father and uncle respectively, it is no wonder Mayweather stands as a self-important contradictory image that many cannot easily categorize: Mayweather likes to say he is all about family and giving back to the community, but is more often seen in fur coats and fancy cars. One of his beloved pastimes is making it rain, although he says he doesn't do that anymore. You'd have to live in a cave not to know that the latter image looms larger.

But then again, this is the image that he wants you to see. Both images, materialistic entertainer or philanthropic family man, are cleverly premeditated -- I can tell he loves keeping both critics and fans guessing about who is the real Mayweather, and if it's up to him, we'll probably never know.

Case in point, exiting the Nokia Theater in New York, after his press conference last month, there Floyd was in his element: Mayweather had changed from the suit he previously donned to a wife beater and jeans. Flexing his muscles inside of his bus, he had a garbage bag full of money that he was counting in front of the crowd and he reveled in the attention.

Of course, this was just after looking almost teary eyed when recounting what a day in his home is like with his children: "My kids is something that I love, and that's the reason why I strive hard every day and work hard - for my babies."

The Floyd Mayweather, Mayweather wants you to see is the money-crazed entertainer, but his background presents a much more interesting story.

Floyd has street smarts and wit. He knows how to dazzle the crowd but also seems to have a shrewdly clear understanding of how business works and what sells. No doubt, even though he won't admit it, Money gets much of his swagger from two of the most prominent men in his life: the aforementioned Floyd Sr. and Roger Mayweather.

Both Mayweathers are tough, accomplished, controversial men who have legacies in boxing and an eclectic grab bag of life experience-both good and bad-to back up all the rest.

Floyd Sr. (pictured below left) is known for his bombastic colorful suits as well as a respectable career in boxing – having once fought the iconic Sugar Ray Leonard – and was awarded Manager of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America. He likes to refer to himself as "the best boxer and trainer of all time."
Roger (pictured below left) was a WBC Super Featherweight and Super Lightweight champion in his prime, is also heralded as one of the best trainers money can buy and was seen trying to verbally take on his nephew's opponent at a press conference in 2007. In his words, "Oscar [De La Hoya] doesn't want none of this." Sound familiar?

With quotables, such as "never complain, never cry, just work" and "I'm a free man, nobody can say they own me," it is discernible that Mayweather is cut from a legacy of like-minded men.

Besides mastering some of the best boxing techniques and skills most fighters can only wish to have, he's also watched his father's and uncle's lives enough to know that even a champ's life can be needlessly punctuated with a number of embarrassing detours: Floyd Sr. served five years in prison for a botched cocaine-transporting attempt in 1993 and Roger now faces charges for allegedly hitting and choking one of his former female boxers.

For his part, in spite of the potty mouth, perceived arrogance (he calls it just being "confident") and major trash talking (in another interview, he makes fun of Sugar Shane's "shitty...nose job"), Mayweather has managed to keep his personal life squeaky clean – a domestic abuse claim that was later recanted, notwithstanding. This is not happenstance, rather; this is an intelligent decision Mayweather has made: to take the best and learn from the worst of the men in his life.

While Floyd has made it a point to stay at the top of his game inside the ring, he also looks to broaden his presence outside the ring: When he retired two years ago, after his victorious fight against Ricky Hatton, it was to promote his events and boxing promotion company, Mayweather Promotions. Can't knock his hustle.

Watch Floyd discuss both his business sense and what sets him apart from other boxers here:


Mayweather is all barbs and attitude, until he talks about his family. It is no secret how passionate he is about boxing, but his passion runs just as deep --if not deeper-- for his loved ones. Mayweather is, dare I say it, tender when you ask him about his children and equally defensive about his uncle's case. Watch Mayweather talk about his "babies," strained relationship with his dad and Uncle's case here:

While the fight in May is sure to keep everyone on the edge of their seats, the public can be sure that Floyd is going to bring it against Shane. I'll be watching. Will you?