Brazilian artist presents Floyd Mayweather with R$200,000 sneakers

It was already past 4 am at the luxurious R3 Club Lounge in Tokyo, Japan, when security cleared the way for a special visit to American boxing star Floyd Mayweather’s cabin. The long-awaited person was a Brazilian, born in Mogi das Cruzes (SP) and raised in Mogi Guaçu (SP), who with his art presented the athlete with a customized sneaker valued by him at no less than US$ 40 thousand dollars ( around BRL 213 thousand).

Sancler Julio de Paula, artistically known as Sancler Graffit, became famous for producing such shoes — officially called “sneakers” — and, currently, he has in his portfolio creations for football, NBA, UFC, Hollywood, music stars. , between others.

Floyd Mayweather-specific sneakers feature 24-karat gold leaf, as well as graffiti-style paintwork with references to the boxer’s career and his team, called “The Money Team”. The model chosen was one of the rarest in Nike’s “Air Jordan 6” line.

“The Money Team’s security was already warned, so they opened Mayweather’s VIP Lounge and I was the only one who went in there. He was with his gang, some rappers, with the owner of the Club… At the time Mayweather was on the cell phone solving some ‘BO’, a little stressed [risos], but I thought that just by going in there and him taking a picture with the sneakers, I would be happy. Then people took some pictures and he made a sign with his finger, as if he was asking me to wait a minute. So I went out, and he literally pulled me by the shirt, calling me back [risos]”, I said to UOL Esportecomplementing:

“Then he ended it all and he was more good people, I needed to see his face. He got really crazy [risos]. Then I showed the details in gold, and he asked, ‘Gold?’ When he said yes, he smiled and showed his hand to shake me.”

The work impressed not only Floyd Mayweather but also the boxer’s manager, who, delighted with the Brazilian’s art, immediately ordered three pairs of sneakers at the price of US$ 20,000 each (about R$ 106,000).

“He [empresário do Mayweather] is a sneaker collector, wears a pair a day”, explained Sancler.

Mayweather’s fight in Japan took place last Saturday (25th), in Saitama, where he knocked out Japanese Mikuru Asakura, who is originally a MMA fighter, in the second round. Retired, the American has been doing exhibition duels around the world.

Special care with gold and 36 hours without sleep

The production of Floyd Mayweather’s sneaker relied on special care and a physical sacrifice by Sancler Graffit. Due to its delicate elements, including the gold leaves, the Brazilian artist took a series of measures.

“To apply all the golden part, you have to turn off the air conditioning and I have to be alone in the studio. Anything breaks. I apply it by layer, with my own varnish…”, he explained.

From the information that he would have the possibility to deliver the sneaker to the production process, time was short, which made Sancler stay up 36 hours until the art was ready.

Irony of fate: Sancler went to Japan to box

Living in Japan since 2005, Sancler “Graffit” has specialized in acrylic painting and gained notoriety for customizing shoes for sports, film, music and fashion personalities. What many do not know, however, is that his trip to the eastern country had another initial objective: his boxing career, precisely the sport of idol Floyd Mayweather.

“I came to box at the time. I already had a workshop in Brazil, but I came to try a fighting career. It was the opportunity that came, but I had some setbacks and went to work in factories until I managed to set up my first workshop here”, he explains.

It was fate that, years later, after so much effort and dedication to achieve recognition for his art, Sancler Graffit would be able to give a gift to an icon of the sport that he is passionate about.

“I was here at home anxious about the deal, I couldn’t believe it. I’m a former boxer too. I have a list of people I admire and would like to have my art, and Mayweather was one of them,” he explained.

Zico, Casemiro, Whindersson, among others also have sneakers

Uniting his talent with a lot of perseverance and dedication, Sancler Graffit focused on art and started to apply for competitions in Japan, until from 2019 the “key turned” and he started to be recognized for his work.

In addition to Mayweather, Sancler Graffit has a weight list of world stars from the most varied segments. Previously, the artist had already customized sneakers for Zico, Flamengo’s idol; for midfielder Casemiro, of the Brazilian national team and Real Madrid; UFC fighters Anderson Silva, Deiveson Figueiredo and Poliana Botelho; for the Brazilian skater Yndiara Asp, who participated in the Tokyo Olympics; to former NBA player Muggsy Bogues; for the American actor Michael Beach, famous for acting in the movie “Aquaman”, among others.

Celebrities from the fashion industry are also in her portfolio, such as stylist Chris Lavish and Vogue Magazine fashion editor Mr. Morty. In music, American rapper Sauce Walka is another one on his resume. He also recently delivered sneakers to Brazilian comedian Whindersson Nunes.

Currently, Sancler has participated in renowned exhibitions in the segment. In 2019, for example, he attended “Sneaker Con” in Osaka (JAP). Months later, he launched his art of painting at the renowned jewelry store Trax, owned by actor Maksud Agadjani, in New York (USA).

In June of last year, the São Paulo artist presented his acrylic paintings and was the only Brazilian in the 19th edition of the Zen Show at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art. In August, he exhibited his custom sneakers at the Yokohama Civic Art Gallery. After the event he was appointed International Ambassador of Zen Art.

In October, two more awards: from the exhibition Zen Ten Ar, No Momas (JAP), and as “Best Brazilian Artist in the World”, at the “Best of Brazil in the World” event, at Kensington Palace, London (ING).

childhood picking cotton

Sancler Graffit’s talent was awakened from an early age drawing with pencil and paper, but before stabilizing in his career he had a humble childhood picking cotton. And it was precisely in the countryside that an irony served as fuel.

“At that time I was already doing some comics and I said that when I was 18 I wanted to be at least the best in my neighborhood. And then the other day the guy gave me a ‘pedal’ mocking me and saying: ‘stop dreaming, nigga! ‘. He doesn’t even know it, but after that, he gave me the fuel I needed. I’ve never forgotten it”, he recalls.

At the age of 14, he held his first painting exhibition at the Almerinda Rodrigues municipal school, where he gratefully keeps the name of his then Art Education teacher:

“Professor Rosely who supported me. I always like to mention her name. She was the one who took me to the first museums and opened my eyes to art.”

Other important people in his life that Sancler likes to mention are his manager Éber Toyohashi, his friend Reinaldo, his wife Ana Paula and their children Sebastian, Antony and Tyson.

Anderson Silva opened doors

In 2020, the Brazilian Anderson Silva was the first personality to be awarded with custom sneakers. And that happened thanks to Sancler’s “pace face”, who is an unconditional fan of the fighter and sought out Kalyl, one of the star’s sons.

“I’m his number 1 fan. I’ve admired him since Pride [evento que precedeu ao UFC]. I contacted Kalyl and he helped me. When it was delivered, Anderson immediately took my number and sent videos, audios… I couldn’t believe it. He was really happy. He said he was going to put it together with his trophies right away”, reveals the artist, complementing:

“Today we are friends, it was the biggest prize for me. No money can pay for that. I gained a friend, besides being a fan of the guy. It was worth more than anything”.

Wants to deliver sneakers to Mano Brown and Marcos Mion

Sancler is eclectic when it comes to music. He goes from samba to rock, but because of his origins and the culture that surrounds his work, he was also strongly influenced by rap. And of course, he is a fan of the group Racionais MC’s. Therefore, one of his dreams is to give the leader Mano Brown a gift, something that is already set to happen as soon as he is in Brazil.

Another artist that Sancler Graffit wants to give away is presenter Marcos Mion, from TV Globoa great “sneakerhead” [colecionador e fã de tênis].

“He’s the biggest sneakerhead in Brazil. He changed the sneaker scene a lot, showing the culture, people are getting interested… He’s been a key player in Brazil in this world”, he praised.

Projects in Brazil

With increasing visibility, Sancler Graffit has been sought after for projects in Brazil. Two important brands, which the artist has chosen not to reveal yet, are negotiating works. The Brazilian has also been working on a social project with singer Tony Garrido, with whom he built a bond of friendship after the musician spent time in Japan, where he was also presented with sneakers and, in return, invited Sancler to paint a canvas during his concert. on Brazilian Day.