Floyd Mayweather Sr.’s Disturbing Past
Floyd Mayweather Sr., an influential figure in the boxing world and a prominent trainer, has shared a disturbing chapter from his past involving a perilous situation where he used his young son, Floyd Jr., as protection during a violent encounter. In a revealing interview with the BBC, the now 72-year-old former fighter recounted a life-threatening episode that took place in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
A Life-Threatening Encounter
During the confrontation, a relative brandished a firearm at him, prompting desperate measures.
“I had to use my boy—if I hadn’t, I might not be here today,”
he stated candidly, reflecting on the traumatic day. He recounted how, as a man with a gun threatening him, he instinctively placed toddler Floyd Jr. in front of him, saying,
“This is my only shield, and I got shot with him in my hands.”
The gunman fired, leaving Mayweather Sr. with a severe leg wound, but given the circumstances, he believes he was spared from more critical injuries that could have been fatal.
The Impact on Their Relationship
This incident took place when Floyd Jr. was just a small child, but it has had a lasting impact on both their lives. Over the years, the relationship between father and son became strained, with Floyd Jr. forming a closer bond with his uncle, Roger Mayweather, before eventually reuniting later in life. The dynamic of their family has become part of boxing history, especially as Floyd Jr. rose to fame.
Current Dynamics and Future Matches
As time has passed, Mayweather Sr. has stepped back from being in the limelight, now only occasionally overseeing activities at the renowned Mayweather Gym in Las Vegas. He no longer collaborates with his son during Floyd Jr.’s exhibition bouts, which adds another layer to their complicated relationship, shaped by struggle and survival.
Now as Floyd prepares for an exhibition match against Mike Tyson in spring 2026, with Floyd Jr. at 49 and Tyson approaching 59, the themes of resilience and family bonds continue to underscore their storied legacy in the ring. Mayweather Sr.’s memories of that fateful day serve as a testament to the lengths a parent might go to protect their child and the profound influence of such experiences on their lives.
