MOST INGENUINE

Floyd Mayweather Jr.: Which was the real Mayweather: The one whose racist and homophobic video rant aimed at Manny Pacquiao offended any right-thinking person who saw it, or the one who later apologized? The answer is obvious. Mayweather is an obnoxious person who evidently has no sense of decency. He meant everything he said. This is the same Mayweather who called the HBO broadcasting team racist with absolutely no evidence, the same Mayweather who called his multi-million-dollar contract with HBO “slave wages.” Mayweather can apologize all he wants and claim he “didn’t mean it.” We know better.

MOST IMMATURE

Mayweather: The No. 2 fighter in the world pound for pound has the maturity level of a 3-year-old. The video coincided with the beginning of the Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito media tour. Mayweather just couldn’t stand the fact his rival was receiving attention and he wasn’t so he took his shots at one of the most-decent figures in boxing. Other observers have blamed the sycophants who hover around him for the fact he’s a spoiled brat, which obviously plays a role. He must also accept some of the responsibility. The man is 33 years old, for God’s sake. Isn’t it time he starts acting like it?

BIGGEST OPPORTUNITY

Floyd Mayweather Jr.: Mayweather isn’t stupid in spite of evidence to the contrary. He knows he went too far this time, which is why he quickly apologized. He could turn this into a positive, though. He could use it as a wake-up call to change his ways, to treat people as he wants people to treat him and behave in a responsible manner. No more telling us how great he is. He should let his fists do that. No more flashing his millions while unemployment figures climb. No more belittling those who might oppose him in some way. No more playing the victim. Mayweather will say he intentionally built his objectionable persona as a marketing ploy, to be the compelling bad guy. OK, the job is done. He’s a star. Now he should give it up. Too much to ask? Probably.

MOST SURPRISING

Burns beats Martinez: They must’ve had one hell of a party in Glasgow on Saturday night. One of their own, Ricky Burns, won a major junior lightweight title when he got up from a first-round knockout to stun previously unbeaten Roman Martinez — rated No. 2 by THE RING — before a wild crowd at Kelvin Hall in Glasgow. Burns, a light puncher but a tough, skillful fighter, won a close but unanimous decision. He is now a member of a prestigious club of Scottish champions, including Benny Lynch, Ken Buchanan and Jim Watt. His promoter, Frank Warren, reportedly said that Scotland has “a new sporting hero.” And this might only be the beginning: Burns is just 27.

MOST CONSISTENT

Felix Sturm: Most Americans know Sturm best as the man who lost a dubious decision and his first middleweight belt to Oscar De La Hoya in 2004. However, since then, the 31-year-old German is 14-1-1 and has successfully defended his third 160-pound title an impressive eight times. His one-sided decision over Giovanni Lorenzo on Saturday was particularly impressive given his 14-month layoff. Sturm might be hesitant to visit the U.S. again after the De La Hoya fight but it's time for him to try to unify the middleweight belts. He’d be a perfect opponent for RING champion Sergio Martinez. And he’d be a legitimate threat to Paul Williams. At the same time, he’s making a nice living in Germany. I won’t be surprised if he stays there.

MOST EXCITING

Remainder of 2010: This has been a slow year by everyone’s estimation. However, all is not lost: We have a strong home stretch in front of us. The most-exciting matchup is Arthur Abraham-Carl Froch on Oct. 2, although Showtime must decide what to do about the Super Six tournament after the departure of Mikkel Kessler. That could be the fight of the year. Juan Manuel Marquez-Michael Katsidis has the same potential. And Pacquiao-Margarito should be fun to watch even if it’s not competitive. And there are more to anticipate: Juan Manuel Lopez-Rafael Marquez, Andre Ward-Andre Dirrell, Antonio Escalante-Daniel Ponce de Leon, Amir Khan-Marcos Maidana (pending), Miguel Cotto-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Jean Pascal-Bernard Hopkins and the return of James Kirkland. Not a bad lineup.

MOST UNFORTUNATE

Roy Jones Jr.’s return: Jones reportedly will fight former contender Danny Santiago on Oct. 7 in Jones’ hometown of Pensacola, Fla. Once again, any man has the right to make a living as any he sees fit. That said, those of us who once marveled at his once-in-a-generation skills will again have to suffer when a shell of the former Jones steps into the ring at 41. Jones barely put up resistance against Bernard Hopkins in April, surviving more than fighting. He reportedly made no money for that fight because he agreed to take a percentage of nonexistent profits. Maybe he continues to fight simply to pay bills, which is understandable. It’s also sad.

MOST HEARTBREAKING

Death of Bob Arum’s son: I had a friend who was killed in an car accident and watched his parents try to cope. They got over the shock, mourned and went on with life. They were never the same, though. Never. Losing a child — even a grown-up child — is one of the most-excruciating experiences in life. This is what Arum and his family are going through after the death of his son, John, 49, who apparently was killed while mountain climbing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Arums during this profoundly difficult period.

BEST QUOTE

Manny Pacquiao, in response to Mayweather’s rant:: “It’s an uneducated message.”

Michael Rosenthal can be reached at [email protected]