Photo Credit:Associated Press
Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, 47, found himself at the center of a violent altercation in London's upscale Hatton Garden neighborhood. The incident, which unfolded on December 10, 2024, was sparked by Mayweather's unwavering support for Israel and the Jewish community.
While shopping in the area, Mayweather was confronted by a mob of approximately 30 individuals. Witnesses describe the scene as "very targeted," with the boxer being taunted with racial slurs. According to a source close to Mayweather, the situation escalated after he proudly declared his support for Israel, prompting one person to take a swing at him. Despite the chaos, Mayweather's security team successfully shielded him from physical harm.
Videos shared on social media platforms, including X, capture the intense moments leading up to Mayweather's swift exit. One eyewitness recounted, "Someone said Mayweather had been shopping when he was asked why he supported Israel. He doubled down and said he was proud to support the Jews." Another witness claimed, "Floyd took a few hits during it, but his security was trying to push people back.
Mayweather addressed the incident on Instagram, downplaying the severity of the situation: "What you're seeing is just my security doing their job to keep things under control... I'm perfectly fine, and there's nothing more to it." This encounter marks a disturbing trend of public figures facing backlash for their political stances. As reported by the UK's hate crime statistics, incidents fueled by prejudice have seen a concerning rise, with 76% of hate crimes in 2022 being motivated by racism (source: UK Home Office).
Mayweather's allegiance to Israel is not new. In March 2024, he visited the country to demonstrate his support amidst the ongoing conflict with Hamas. His social media pledge at the time read, "I stand with Israel against the Hamas terrorists... God Bless America. God Bless Israel. God Bless Human Kind!