Most Hated Athlete for 2012?

I felt compelled to write about “The Most Hated Athlete” for 2012. While Forbes rated Michael Vick and even Tiger Woods as the most hated athlete in previous years I think we should dig a little deeper, some sports just don’t get the high profile coverage anymore. Many of the athletes on Forbes have done bad things and got caught, but aren’t necessarily ‘bad people’.

So for 2012 Bettingsites.com is nominating Floyd Mayweather as the most disgusting sports character going into 2012. As a boxing follower myself, I find the ear piercing arrogance that can spill out of one little mans mouth intolerable. Despite being one of the most talented boxers to ever step into the ring, his presence wreaks of racism, grumpiness, and most non-humble person you can find.

When asking others about Floyd Mayweather it is usually followed by a headshake and a “who cares”. Fortunately for Floyd this personality he’s developed rakes in the dollars but with all the money and fame he still seems like a child begging for appreciation.

After a trip to Las Vegas we saw Mr. Floyd Mayweather after the disappointing “Mayweather vs Pacquiao”. Only offering his opponent 10% of the take, and then hitting him during what appeared to many as a non-sportsman like move didn’t gain him anymore fans. While the protect yourself at all times rule will always be thrown around by his few fans, many feel he dragged the name of boxing through the dirt even more. Despite being his hometown he was not receiving any autograph requests nor was anyone going up to him as he strolled down towards the casinos of Vegas.

Let’s face it, boxing is dying. The people who tend to follow the sport are of much older age, when boxing was “The Sport”. Self promotions worth hundreds of millions going to one person when each customer has to shell out $60 a fight only to constantly let down fans time after time with boring fights that never lead up to the hype puts Floyd Mayweather in our “Most Hated Athlete” spot for 2012. At least for now, the year is still young.

Floyd Mayweather is set to take on Miguel Cotto on May 5, 2012. Coincidentally, Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico is considered one of the most likable boxers in and out of the sport.