DON MOORE is ready to step out of Floyd Mayweather’s shadow and attempt to haunt his ex-sparring partner with a shock loss.
Moore welcomes the boxing legend back to the ring once more in an extraordinary exhibition held atop of a Dubai HELIPAD.
But it will not be the first time they have traded punches, following hundreds of sparring rounds, which started in 2012.
Now, ten years later Moore – once trained by Mayweather’s uncle Roger – prepares to fight him for real following dozens of dress rehearsals.
And he plans on sensationally stealing the spotlight from his old friend with a sickening upset 700ft above sea level this Saturday.
Moore, 42, told SunSport: “I just want to showcase my talent in front of the world, I don’t want to be in Floyd Mayweather’s shadow anymore.
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“I had an opportunity to be a part of something that was brilliant, I sacrificed myself, worked hard and now I’m here.
“Roger prepared me not just to fight a fighter, he prepared me for any fighter.
“With the talent I have and that I’ve soaked up like a sponge, it’s such a blessing.”
Mayweather thrived off verbal warfare and the ability to get inside his opponent’s head way before the first bell rang.
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But Moore, who retired in 2016 after 18 wins and one draw, knows the unbeaten icon far too well to fall for any pre-fight kidology.
He said: “I’m a fighter, not a fan. I look across the ring at my opponent and I know how to take care of business.
“So, May 14th that’s what’s going to happen, no matter who is in front of me. Floyd is just another fighter to me, he’s just a name.
“He has an 0, I have an 0. I’m a fighter, I’m going to go in there and do what I have to do.”
Mayweather, 45, officially retired in 2017 after beating UFC superstar Conor McGregor, 33, in ten rounds of their crossover spectacle.
Almost one year earlier, Moore would fight for the final time in his undefeated career, which included 12 KOs but no major titles.
In the time since, Mayweather has continued to collect cheques with lucrative exhibition bouts.
Floyd Mayweather vs Don Moore – date, TV channel and live stream info
The first was against kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, 23, and in 2018 and then with YouTuber Logan Paul, 27, last June.
Mayweather in December announced audacious plans to host another spectacle fight on the Burj Al Arab hotel helipad.
And when it came down to picking an opponent, Moore credits his former mentor as the reason he was selected.
He said: “Roger Mayweather played a big part in this.
“He trained me to have the tools to be able to perform the way I need to perform when I step in the ring.
“So, throughout all of these years I’ve dedicated myself and been trained by Roger Mayweather and Floyd knows that, he’s seen me in and out of the gym.
“When I finally sparred him and worked with him throughout camps, I showcased my talent and he knew I was different to all the other sparring partners.
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“So Roger Mayweather always said, ‘You’ve really got what it takes’.
“May 14th is the opportune time for me to show the world the words of Roger Mayweather, I got what it takes.”
Floyd Mayweather’s uncle Roger pictured with Don Moore
Don Moore sparring with Floyd Mayweather in 2015
Don Moore training to face Floyd Mayweather
