By Cliff Rold

“Last week on Mayweather-Marquez 24/7,” reigning World Lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez drank his own piss.  He said it was for the vitamins or something.

Other stuff happened too.

If anyone remembers the other stuff, it would be a surprise.

Will Marquez pull a Divine (see: Pink Flamingos) this week?

Enter theme music and real time recap as former Welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather and family listen to a Montell Jordan cover band before settling in to watch Marquez down his favorite beverage of choice.  Mayweather speaks for the world when he shouts, “Aw hell no!” before offering to give Marquez some “gorilla piss” or “silverback piss,” summing up the occasion with a “stupid muhf&*^@.”  Mayweather teaches the kids around the house who “pee-pee mouth” is while the great Pernell Whitaker is somewhere wondering if he now must share his nickname with Marquez.

Mayweather leaves his mother’s Las Vegas home and hits the night air for a middle of the night run.  Sticking to theme, he notes being in good shape means one need “drink no piss.”

It’s the joke which keeps on giving as, back in the gym, Floyd’s exits the commode with a bottle of dark red liquid, announcing it to be the previously mentioned “silverback gorilla piss.”  Mayweather refuses to drink it and for good reason.

If anyone reading has produced anything which looks like silverback gorilla piss, and did not eat beets in the last 24 hours, please consult your physician post haste.

The scene shifts to Mexico and Marquez’s trainer Nacho Beristain driving to work as narrator Liev Schreiber tones in with, “An automobile like the 1965 Shelby Mustang makes an unavoidable statement about its driver.”

Yeah, it says Nacho is not eco-friendly!

Inside the Romanza Gym, Marquez’s sparring session rest periods are reduced to 45 seconds and Beristain offers sound advice, noting Mayweather’s speed does not make him invulnerable to “feints and counters.”  Marquez is notably throwing hard single shots and lots of uppercuts, possibly preparing to maximize blows while not over committing and opening up to Mayweather’s own counters.

Stuff like this is why Mayweather does not allow sparring to be taped.

Marquez swings by his folk’s house after his work out where Papa Marquez notes he had five daughters before the son he’d waited for in Juan Manuel.  The arrival of Juan Manuel was celebrated with the creation of Rafael and a trophy wall of both son’s Hall of fame accomplishments stands out in the sitting room.  He asks the blessing of his parents before preparing his trip to Las Vegas.

Mayweather is, of course, already at home in Las Vegas, working the mitts in the gym.  Mayweather notes he is a “pure boxer” as photos remind viewers Mayweather has been at it since he was little kid.  The camera contrasts with uncle and trainer Roger’s young son looking on in awe.  This is a family business, seen passing on as the youngster works the vertical bag and shadow boxes.

Roger’s pending assault trial is briefly touched on in voiceover as he watches his children play at home before heading back to the gym where Floyd is, again, working the mitts.  He does that a lot…

…like, seriously, if you combine all the clips of his mitt work from three runs on 24/7, it’s like a whole episode on its own by now.

It still looks cool so no harm.

80s superstar Eddie Murphy stops by to watch Floyd train, staring intently while noting his long boxing fandom.  Speaking with Floyd’s father, Murphy sums up why many remain skeptical of the Mayweather-Marquez match, stating, “Floyd’s bigger, stronger and faster…just can’t f^&% with that.”  Floyd Sr. throws in an “and smarter” for good measure.  Roger quizzes Murphy on the history mural he keeps on the wall and Eddie passes with flying colors, though he mentions he caught the answers last week on 24/7.

Murphy leaves the gym in search of what used to make him funny.

Back in Mexico, the camera visits with Marquez’s wife as she discusses the nerves and fears of a wife as her husband heads to battle.  As has been the case in other similar 24/7 segments, it works the heart strings and reminds that the game makes scars in and out of the ring.

Contrasting between the gyms, Marquez holds a traditional press briefing at the gym, working out while the cameras role.  Mayweather shows up in something which looks like a tricked out Brinks Security vehicle and hosts a barbecue.

Point Mayweather for the free food to the press.

With flashing cameras surrounding the ring, Mayweather (deep breath of anticipation) works the mitts.  Speaking to the press, Floyd talks about the failed game plans of “all 39” of his opponents, paying homage once again to Lightweight nemesis Jose Luis Castillo by counting him twice.

For further contrast, the idea of fight strategy is highlighted in both camps, Team Mayweather showing disregard for its merits while Marquez and Beristain do a psychological walk through in the gym.  Beristain is staying behind for a few extra days in Mexico to tend to another fighter (in this case, it would be Jorge Arce who fights on Tuesday).

Marquez and family head to a soccer game, his son hoping to avoid the press to no avail.  Marquez soaks in the cheers as he is introduced to the rabid stadium fans.

A closing montage highlights both fighters working towards their clash, and a hot cowgirl working a mechanical bull, and closing comments take the audience to the credits.

Final Thoughts: This was the best episode yet of this 24/7 installment and it makes sense it would be.  The fight is growing closer and the feeling is palpable on screen.  Discussion of strategy, or lack of, and the instruction of Beristain provide insights into the science of the game which can’t be found outside the program.

The press day shots assisted in conveying the event feeling a major fight is supposed to have.  The show still struggles to get across what significance, what stakes, there are at hand but there can be no doubting a fight is coming.

If the episode had one failing, it was in Mayweather continuing to not play his personality at full volume.  He’ll always come across as cocky but the arrogance which irks many is found more off screen right now than on.  One can expect that to change in the final episode but who knows?  Maybe at 32, Mayweather is mellowing just a bit.  Grade: B+

Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com