In September of 2014, CNN’s Rachel Nichols asked Floyd Mayweather to address his history of domestic violence. Specifically an incident when Mayweather’s children called police because he was allegedly beating their mother to a bloody pulp.
Rachel Nichols: In the incident you went to jail for, the mother of your three children did some show bruising and a concussion when she went to the hospital. It was your own children who called the police, gave them a detailed description of the abuse. There’s been documentation.
Floyd Mayweather: Once again, no pictures. Just hearsay and allegations. I accepted a plea bargain, so again not true.
Everything about the interview (and you can see the video here) is disgusting. From Mayweather’s denial to his nonchalant response about donating money for battered women. It was truly a low point (and there have been many) in Floyd Mayweather’s long history of domestic abuse allegations.
GQ’s Will Leitch wrote an excellent piece today about Mayweather, one that is worthy of your attention. In short, Leitch calls Mayweather a “terrible person” but one we continue to watch and support because, well, that’s what do with people who entertain us.
The thrill we all experience watching Mayweather box has been the primary reason he’s been able to get away with this for so long in the first place. We can grouse about a repeated woman batterer facing so little consequence for his actions that he can wear a mouthguard full of $100 bills and everyone will think he’s cool for it, but we’re the ones who have allowed that to happen. We’re the fuel to that engine, and to deny that is to fool ourselves.
On the other hand: Hey, it’s entertainment. If we’re going to start playing the “I can’t support the entertainment venture this person partakes in because he or she is a terrible person” games well, we’re going to have a hard time finding an entertainment venture that meets your exacting standards.
Leitch’s take is spot on. We root for our favorite athletes despite their criminal history. We cheer on our favorite teams even though they employ domestic abusers. We watch movies from directors who might be serial pedophiles.
So let’s talk about it. Do you have a problem rooting for Floyd Mayweather? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
[GQ]
