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Floyd Mayweather reveals how he paid for funeral of childhood boxing hero Hernandez after idol gave him world-title shot


FLOYD MAYWEATHER has opened up on the reason why he paid for the funeral of his boxing idol and former foe Genaro Hernandez in 2011.

The 43-year-old picked up the first of his 15 world titles in 1998 when he beat his American compatriot for the WBC super-featherweight belt in Las Vegas.

Floyd Mayweather fought his idol Genaro Hernandez in 1998 for the WBC super-featherweight beltCredit: YouTube

Hernandez – a two-time world champion – suffered defeat just twice in his 41 fights, with Oscar De La Hoya stopping him in 1995 for the WBO lightweight strap.

And Mayweather has revealed how Hernandez – who died nine years ago after battling cancer – was his hero during his teenage years.

Speaking on Fat Joe’s Instagram live video, he said: “When I was 16, I had a poster on my wall, because you remember, when we were young, we used to have posters on our wall. Young kids don’t do that anymore.

“I had a poster, right above my head, Genaro ‘Chicanito’ Hernandez.

“And I used to watch him on TV fight and I said nobody will beat that guy. I was 16.

CLASSY FLOYD

“Five years later I was across from that guy, fighting for the championship.

“And then he ended up passing away, I ended up taking care of his funeral, and still communicating with his family because he’s the first guy that gave me my chance.

“I was ranked No8 and he was a world champion and he didn’t have to give me a shot.

“But fighting me was at that particular time was his big money fight so we made it happen.”

Mayweather also sent a £70,000 cheque to pay for George Floyd’s funeral costs, following his death in police custody.

Commenting on why he felt the need to foot the funeral bills, he said: “The thing is this, you do different things different ways, so we’re giving back like that, our team.

“I’m basically saying it’s coming from all of us, because we’re all a team. So we’re giving back.

“He’s having three funerals, probably even four, but I’m taking care of all of them.”

Floyd Mayweather leaves out Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali in his list of five greatest boxers – but puts himself No 1


Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk


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