Floyd Mayweather, former professional boxer and champion of the world across five weight classes, has said he will cover the funeral costs of George Floyd, the man killed by Minneapolis police officers.
Mr. Floyd’s memorial service took place on the 4th of June in Minneapolis among friends, family and well-wishers, including civil rights leader Al Sharpton, who led a eulogy saying:
"George Floyd should not be among the deceased … He did not die of common health conditions. He died of a common American criminal-justice malfunction."
It is however believed that a large number of memorial services will take place across the country for those wishing to pay their respects. The Mayweather Promotions foundation revealed that the boxer had reached out directly to the Floyd family and offered to directly fund all of these memorial services and Mr. Floyd’s Minneapolis funeral which is due to take place on the 9th of June.
The chief executive of Mayweather Promotions confirmed the heavyweight champ intended to help the family financially:
“He’ll probably get mad at me for saying that, but yes, [Mayweather] is definitely paying for the funeral. Floyd has done these kind of things over the last 20 years.”
The celebrity gossip site TMZ showed an image of an $88,500 cheque made out by Mayweather to the family. Mayweather is believed to have a personal fortune of $560 million.
It later transpired, according to Hollywood Unlocked, that Mayweather who is originally from Michigan, and George Floyd who is originally from Houston, Texas had a mutual friend in the shape of Anzel Jennings, CEO of the music label TMT. Jennings was then able to put Mayweather in touch with the family.
Mayweather is not the only sports entrepreneur to put their money where their mouth is and help causes related to the tragic death of Mr. Floyd. Steve Biscotti, the owner of the American Football team the Baltimore Ravens said he would donate $1 million to causes related to social justice reform. It is believed he will involve players and staff in making the decision as to which exact organisations receive the money. He said:
“Now, more than ever, we must all strengthen our pursuit of positive change, as we stand with peaceful protestors around the country. We must all discover new ways to unite. We must all work to break the cycle of systematic racial injustice.”
It is hoped that at least some good will come out of the tragic killing and the chaos that has now ensued.
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