``I want my father to see me win the gold medal,'' Mayweather Jr., says.

That's why he has asked President Clinton for help.

Mayweather Sr. is serving a 5-year prison term for drug trafficking at the federal penitentiary in Milan, Mich., and isn't due to be released until next year.

So Mayweather Jr., with the help of folks in his hometown of Grand Rapids, Mich., wrote President Clinton with the request to release his father in time for the Olympics.

He remains patient, waiting for word that somehow, some way, the President will honor his plea.

``I worked so hard for this,'' Mayweather Jr., says after a recent training session at the Augusta Boxing Club. ``I don't want them to take my dream away. My dream is for my daddy to be here. I feel he'll be home real soon. I want to hug and kiss my dad. I hope they surprise me there.''

Mayweather Sr., 43, and several others were convicted in 1993 of smuggling cocaine in detergent boxes from 1987-92. His son says it was a conspiracy and wants his dad, a welterweight contender in the 1970s and '80s, released.

After all, it was Mayweather Sr., who taught his son how to box. It was Dad who would hoist his son so he could reach a speed bag. It was Dad who passed along the family's passion for the sport.

Father and son chatted recently when Mayweather Jr., returned home during a break from training. They talked about life and boxing and anything else the 19-year-old featherweight felt swayed to share.

``I just need him,'' he says, eyes watering. ``It hurt me inside when he told me he was going to be locked up. It still hurts me. He helps me with everything.

``I saw my father's downfall. I've learned to stay away from the drug game. It's not a lifelong career. You either wind up dead or in prison.''

Floyd Mayweather
Age: 19	Height: 5-4
Hometown: Grand Rapids, Mich
Club/Coach: PRIDE/Floyd Mayweather Sr. (father)
Etc: Defeated Augustine Sanchez twice to win Olympic Box-offs at Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center in mid-April. . . . Has won three National Golden Gloves titles the past four years. . . . Pound-for-pound one of hardest punchers in U.S. Officials stopped two of his fights in U.S. Team Trials. . . . . Uncle Roger Mayweather and father were professional boxers.

Mayweather Sr., turned pro in 1974 and retired in 1990 with a record of 28-6-1 and 19 KOs. He was stopped by ex-Olympic star Sugar Ray Leonard in 1978 and Marlon Starling beat him twice. He never fought for a world title.

Roger Mayweather, Mayweather Jr.'s uncle, was a two-time world champion who trains and occasionally still fights at 34. His other uncle, Jeff Mayweather, is a professional lightweight.

``I just always knew I was going to be a boxer,'' Mayweather Jr. says. ``I chose to do it on my own. I was getting in fights all the time anyway, so I figured I'd do it in the ring and make my family proud.''

Mayweather Jr., is one of two boxers on the 12-member team to work his way back from the losers bracket at the U.S. Trials in Oakland, Calif., and earn a spot as a challenger in the Box-offs, which were held at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center. While the trials winners had to win only once in the Box-offs, Mayweather had to defeat Augustine Sanchez twice to make the team.

In his first fight as an Olympic team member, on May 17, Mayweather Jr. decisioned Michael Hammer 19-1 in the team's 9-3 victory over Germany in Portland, Ore.

``I'm not just an Olympian. In my heart I know I am an Olympic gold medalist,'' he says. ``I just haven't gone and picked up my gold medal yet.''