Floyd Mayweather may have often played the villain, but his actions show he wasn’t as bad as he was painted out to be.
Floyd Mayweather has garnered fame and fortune throughout his career for his ability to absorb negativity and embrace playing the heel.
His personality and character has led to him making millions against names like Manny Pacquiao, Ricky Hatton, Conor McGregor, and more, but it’s important to note Mayweather did many kind things throughout his career.
One gesture of kindness came after Mayweather won his first world title, and never forgot who he got it from.
Floyd Mayweather paid for the funeral of his first world title opponent
In 1998, 17-0 Mayweather faced 38-1-1 Genaro Hernandez for his WBC super featherweight title.
Hernandez’s only loss before the fight was to Oscar De La Hoya.
Mayweather, who winked at a hostile crowd once, won the fight and became a world champion as Hernandez failed to come out for the ninth round. Mayweather had outpointed the champion up until that point, too.
This fight was Hernandez’s last, and, 13 years later, at the age of 45, Hernandez tragically passed away from cancer.
Without making any public announcements of his good deed, Mayweather paid for Hernandez’s funeral, showing his gratitude for the opportunity he was given by the former champion all those years ago.
Floyd Mayweather’s good deeds don’t end there
According to ESPN, Mayweather, who told a foe to stop crying, is responsible for a whole host of good deeds throughout his career.
Mayweather’s advisor, Leonard Ellerbe, said: “Floyd likes to do things like that. That’s just the type of person he is. He has done things like this over the last 10 years — and I am not exaggerating — at least 20 times. I’ve seen a fan write to him or contact him through our website needing something like that done and Floyd would do it out of kindness.”
Mayweather has been responsible for sponsoring turkey giveaways on Thanksgiving, donating to the poor in Las Vegas, and financially backing the National Golden Gloves tournament in Michigan when it was lacking funds.