Floyd Mayweather to take up George Floyd's funeral and memorial expenses, fans say 'hats off to him'
Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather will be paying for George Floyd's funeral and memorial services. Floyd's grieving family have accepted Mayweather's offer. It has been reported that Mayweather has personally been in contact with the family, according to Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. It is said that Mayweather will fund the funeral which is due to take place on June 9 in Floyd's hometown, Houston, as well as other additional expenses. TMZ had reported Mayweather's offer and said that he will also pay for services in Minnesota and North Carolina.
While speaking to ESPN on Monday, June 1, Ellerbe said, "He'll probably get mad at me for saying that, but yes, he is definitely paying for the funeral." The announcement of Mayweather paying for the funeral received a lot of praise on Twitter. One such social media user wrote, "This is very kind for FM, to step up in the crisis to help this family in need. Now we need three more arrests and all need to be the most severe charges, for taking another person's life. This is murder, no matter how you look at it. It's wrong!"
While another user shared, "Many have a lot of negative to say about him but he's one if the very few celebrities that are putting money up to HELP instead of inciting riot. Respect to him," A third wrote, "Floyd has ALWAYS been one to step up. Hats off to him."
George Floyd, an African American died on May 25, after a Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin shoved his knee into Floyd's neck despite him repeatedly pleading and saying that he could not breathe. A viral video of the incident showed Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck for a sickening 8 minutes or so. The video was circulated widely across social media and has sparked nationwide outrage and protests over police brutality and lack of regard for African American lives.
Many celebrities took to various social media platforms to take a stand against police brutality and demanded justice for George Floyd. Singer Ciara shared, "My heart can't take it, seeing what’s happened to #GeorgeFloyd." "This is eerily similar to the death of #EricGarner. There has to be a stopping point in the process of arresting someone. It’s all senseless," she added. The incident has been compared to the 2014 death of Eric Garner who died after being choked by the police.
Rapper Cardi B took to social media to share, "Enough is enough! What will it take? A civil war? A new president? Violent riots? It’s tired! I’m tired! The country is tired! You don’t put fear in people when you do this you just show how coward YOU ARE! And how America is really not the land of the free!" We had previously reported that Chauvin has been shifted to one of the most secure prisons in the US on Sunday, May 31, night. The prison houses around 400 inmates and has never had an escape so far. It has also been regarded as one of the country's safest and has had one homicide in its history.
Derek Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter in the George Floyd case. The disgraced cop was one of the four officers who were fired after the incident. The four cops who were involved have been identified as Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J Alexander Kueng.