Las Vegas Boxing Legend Floyd Mayweather to Pay for George Floyd’s Funeral

Posted on: June 2, 2020, 09:43h. 

Last updated on: June 2, 2020, 12:20h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

Las Vegas resident and famed boxer Floyd Mayweather will cover the funeral costs for George Floyd, the unarmed, black man who died eight days ago while in Minneapolis police custody. The move is getting praise by those who follow boxing.

“I believe that Mayweather’s generous gesture is just another example of how deeply and widely George Floyd’s pain, suffering, and death, captured on video for all to see, have been felt,” Jeffrey Sammons, a New York University history professor who has written extensively on African American athletes, told Casino.org.

It is reassuring to see even a small fraction of Mayweather’s resources put to such good use. His action speaks volumes,” Sammons added.

For over a week, George Floyd’s death has led to global outrage and many protests across the US. The video, showing Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin putting his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes, was widely viewed.

Last week, Chauvin was fired and later was arrested on third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges. Three other Minneapolis police officers at the scene were also fired after they failed to intervene.

A colleague of Mayweather’s confirmed the report that he was paying for the funeral.

“He’ll probably get mad at me for saying that, but yes, [Mayweather] is definitely paying for the funeral,” Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, told ESPN on Monday.

The one-time, five-division world champion has contacted Floyd’s family. They accepted his offer to cover the expenses, ESPN said.

Mayweather chose not to discuss publicly his decision to cover the funeral costs. “Floyd [Mayweather] has done these kind of things over the last 20 years,” Ellerbe added.

Four Funeral Services Planned

Currently, the family is planning to hold multiple funeral services for George Floyd, who was 46 at the time of his death, according to KPRC TV, a Houston station. The first service is expected to take place in Minneapolis on Thursday.

A second service will likely take place in North Carolina on Saturday. A more elaborate service is planned for Houston on next Monday. It will include a public viewing at The Fountain of Praise Church.

Next Tuesday, there will be a private funeral service. It will also take place at The Fountain of Praise Church.

George Floyd Raised in Houston

George Floyd was raised in Houston’s Third Ward. He graduated from Yates High School.

During his high school years, he was a tight end on the school’s football team, KTRK TV, another Houston station, reported. In 1992, he played in a state championship game held in the Houston Astrodome.

About five years ago, he moved to Minneapolis. He still has family living in Houston.

George Floyd’s brother, Terrence, has called for justice in the case and urged residents to vote. But he also demanded that violence end.

If I’m not over here blowing up stuff, if I’m not over here messing up my community — then what are y’all doing? Nothing, because that’s not going to bring my brother back at all,” Terrence Floyd said on Monday, as he visited where his brother suffered injuries in Minneapolis.

This is not the first time Mayweather paid for someone’s funeral. Earlier, Mayweather covered funeral expenses for ex-boxer Genaro Hernandez.

Hernandez died in 2011. He had cancer and was 45 at the time of his passing.

In 1998, Mayweather defeated Hernandez in the ring. That bout led to Mayweather capturing his first world title.