LAS VEGAS — American boxing prospect Curmel Moton had solely been again within the US for a matter of days earlier than he returned to coaching on the Mayweather Boxing Membership in Las Vegas.
Moton superior his professional boxing file Saturday to 5-0 (4 KOs) with a first-round knockout win over Victor Vazquez in Mexico, on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather’s exhibition with John Gotti III.
With outsized shorts and a baby-face, 18-year-old Moton feinted, jabbed, and saved his physique motion on level to evade Vazquez’s assaults. Earlier than lengthy, Moton had Vazquez all discovered, clubbed him to the facet of the top with a thudding left hand, and noticed his opponent crash into the ropes, after which onto the canvas, after hitting him with a flurry he couldn’t reply.
The referee started administering a rely however as Vazquez bought as much as wobbly ft, waved the battle off. Moton celebrated by mounting the turnbuckle. He’d achieved it once more.
The primary individual to enter the ring to hitch Moton’s celebrations was Richard Schaefer, the brand new CEO at Mayweather Promotions.
Schaefer changed Leonard Ellerbe, who continues to work intently with Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis at GTD Promotions, Rolly Romero who fights Manuel Jaimes on September 14, and Premier Boxing Champions, in line with World Boxing Information sources with information of the state of affairs.
Mayweather introduced the information on Instagram, saying mid-June: “Our objective is to raise Mayweather Promotions to international success.”
Schaefer first started within the boxing enterprise in 2000, becoming a member of Oscar de la Hoya’s new enterprise Golden Boy Promotions. He based his personal model Ringstar Sports activities in 2016, merged with Hayemaker Promotions in 2017, and launched the World Boxing Tremendous Collection that very same yr. Extra lately, he launched Probellum in 2021, joined Anthem Sports activities Group in 2023 which has hyperlinks to MMA corporations, and is advisor to MMA GOAT Jon Jones. He joined Mayweather Promotions in 2024, to reignite a working relationship with Mayweather.
Moton didn’t meet Schaefer in the summertime, World Boxing Information understands. Nonetheless, they met face-to-face in Mexico and Schaefer was stuffed with reward for the red-hot teenage prospect, Moton informed us. “I met him on the market and we talked.”
One of many first issues Schaefer informed Moton was this: “You’re an incredible fighter, I consider in you, and I’m going to assist you.”
Moton informed us Schaefer additionally mentioned to take a look at Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, a 65-fight veteran, four-weight world champion boxer, and pound-for-pound staple.
“The final massive [boxer] I labored with once you have been youthful was Canelo,” Moton mentioned Schaefer informed him. “And also you see the place he’s at now.”
Due to Schaefer’s expertise, and his long-time affiliation with Mayweather, and the Mayweather Boxing Membership, Moton feels his profession is being sorted in the absolute best means.
“I belief him and Floyd,” Moton informed WBN. “They’ve a plan for me, I’ll observe their lead, and benefit from the journey.”
Moton could have already got realized a precious lesson from Mayweather, a fighter famend not just for his defensive prowess within the ring however his dedication to health outdoors of it, too. He actually lived the lifetime of an athlete throughout his heyday, no matter whether or not he had a battle lined up, or not.
The 18-year-old is analogous. World Boxing Information has ceaselessly visited the Mayweather Boxing Membership since Moton turned professional in 2023, and the fighter has all the time been there — both coaching by himself, or watching his associates on the membership spar.
And, simply days after his knockout win in Mexico, he was again within the Mayweather gymnasium, coaching, and staying sharp. It’s the important thing, he mentioned, to staying humble.
“I’ll always remember the place I come from, it’s my life,” mentioned Moton. “I’m all the time right here day-after-day. That is what I do.”
Alan Dawson is World Boxing Information Lead Author, a 2 x Sports activities Journalist of the Yr finalist, and 5 x BWAA awards winner. Comply with Alan @AlanDawsonSport.
