The tiff between rappers T.I. 50 Cent and Mayweather set the tone for the boxer's rivals to continue taunting him.
According to MTV.com, T.I. addressed the undefeated boxer as a "clown", which was echoed by Marcos Maidana, who is set to fight him in September. Maidana said that he will not let a "clown" intimidate him and will put an end to his streak of victories.
On the other hand, Mayweather's greatest nemesis, Filipino Manny Pacquiao, said in an interview posted by TMZ, "[He isn't scared] of fighting, but perhaps of what one night could do to his zero losses. I think I finally understand him...what he says...how he acts...and I don't like it. But what I learned and heard from him, well, I realize why he is like that. I understand sometimes when the people are not educated, they just talk to talk. He sets a very bad example."
The "not educated" comment by Pacquiao might have stemmed from 50 Cent's accusations that Mayweather has trouble reading. Rapper, Nelly, also added that Mayweather did not finish high school, hence his reading troubles.
TMZ added that although Floyd has kept quiet about the verbal bashes against him, his father, Mayweather, Sr., came to the rescue. The older Mayweather referred to those discriminating his son's educational background as "player haters".
In a report by New Pittsburgh Courier, perhaps Pacquiao's recent attack against Mayweather is one way of taunting the champion to finally come out and face him after years of failed negotiations for a mega-fight. For years, boxing promoters have been struggling to make a dream fight happen between the two, which would probably become the greatest boxing match in the century.
According to Boxing News 24, Pacquiao might be trying to coax Mayweather to agree to a fight, which would rake in over $100 million for both fighters. There are rumors that Pacquiao still owed tax money in the Philippines and could get back to the surface after a giant paycheck.
Mayweather Jr. has not responded much to the rappers, Maidana and Pacquiao. He has been getting a lot of heat lately, although expected, considering his boisterous demeanor and tendency to initiate controversies around himself. The last response anyone had from the boxer was a photo of a couple of big checks. The photo was addressed to 50 Cent after he ridiculed Mayweather for allegedly having poor reading skills.