Floyd Mayweather Jr. issues statement after alleged London attack over Israel support: "People let jealousy and negativity fuel false stories"
Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s London trip, which lasted little more than 48 hours, took a turn for the worst after he was allegedly attacked during a shopping trip. The reported attack was due to Mayweather's well-known support for Israel. However, Mayweather himself has since come out to provide clarity on the incident.
In a statement shared on his Instagram page, Mayweather revealed that the alleged attackers never established physical contact with him. He credits his security guards for doing a stellar job in containing the situation and preventing it from spiraling beyond anyone's control.
"Let me set the record straight...there's no truth to the rumors going around. I wasn't punched or touched in any way. What you're seeing is just my security doing their job to keep things under control. I was in the UK for a quick 48-hour stop to do some shopping, and unfortunately, some people let jealousy and negativity fuel false stories. I'm perfectly fine, and there's really nothing more to it."
The Israel-Hamas war, which has been ongoing since October of last year, has become a prominent topic in combat sports circles, especially in the wake of the humanitarian crisis that has engulfed the Gaza Strip. Many have accused Israel of a disproportionate military response to the Oct. 7, 2023 by Hamas.
Mayweather has been among many high-profile public figures who has been accused of sympathizing with or outright supporting Israel, with his alleged attackers in London being anti-Israel. The all-time great boxer, though, has largely ignored any attempts to drag him into any political discourse regarding his stance.
Check out the alleged attack on Floyd Mayweather Jr.:
Floyd Mayweather Jr. recently met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is among the few combat sports athletes known to publicly support Israel and its Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. While other fighters have aimed criticism at the former, Mayweather is the opposite. In fact, he even shared a picture of the pair's encounter in late October.
The picture commemorated Mayweather's visit to Israel, during which he met wounded Israeli soldiers, including the families of those who have lost members in the war.