What happened to Floyd Mayweather's assistant Marikit Laurico? Revisiting the boxer's emotional farewell
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is known to have shared a bond of deep respect with his personal assistant Marikit Laurico, aka 'Kitchie'. An important member of Team Mayweather, Laurico worked as his assistant for the better part of his boxing career.
An Olympic bronze medalist in the featherweight division at the 1996 Olympic Games, the Michigan-born Mayweather went on to amass a 50-0 record after transitioning to the professional ranks.
'Money' retired from professional boxing in August 2017 but has continued competing in exhibition boxing matches. Presently, Mayweather is booked to face MMA fighter-turned-boxer John Gotti III in an exhibition boxing rematch at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico, on Aug. 24.
What happened to Floyd Mayweather's assistant Marikit Laurico?
Marikit Laurico moved from her native Philippines to the United States of America when she was 11. After meeting Floyd Mayweather Jr., she eventually became the American boxer's assistant. Known by her moniker, 'Kitchie', she was counted among the boxing legend's staunchest supporters.
On March 31, 2023, the 47-year-old Laurico passed away after having battled undisclosed health issues for a few weeks. Her official Instagram handle featured a couple of posts, seemingly put forth by close family, paying their respects to her.
On The Pivot Podcast this past February, one of the podcast hosts, former football player Ryan Clark, asked Floyd Mayweather Jr. about losing Marikit Laurico. Mayweather tearfully pointed out that in recent years, he's also lost Josie Harris (the mother of his children) and Roger Mayweather (his beloved uncle, former boxer, and trainer).
Addressing Laurico's passing, 'Money' indicated that it was tough to deal with. He opined that we often fail to realize that people like your drivers and assistants are usually your best friends.
Additionally, Mayweather explained that they'd often talk about "music, the black culture, the Filipino culture," adding that she took him to the Philippines.
Floyd Mayweather suggested that he could have set up any business for Laurico and wanted her to enjoy a more relaxed life. Mayweather implied that she was tirelessly active in regard to work, to the extent that he often worried about her health.
Apparently, he'd advised Laurico to look after her health around six days before her demise. An emotional Mayweather emphasized that all she wanted was to support and help him be the best man he could be. He highlighted that she wanted his children to be positive and was herself a positive person:
"'Kitchie' was the only person in life that I can talk about anything to, that knew my deepest secrets. There was no male or female in my life that I told more stuff to than her."
Furthermore, Mayweather said that she was given an honorable farewell by friends and family, but he feels he could've done more during that difficult time. Apparently, he was also going to grandly celebrate her 50th birthday in Aruba.
Labeling Laurico a sister and best friend, Mayweather said:
"The only Super Bowl she really wanted to go to was the one in Las Vegas. She was so happy. For her 50th birthday, she wanted to go to Aruba; was going to have a big party for her. I was able to take her to a hundred countries. She taught me a lot. She helped me a lot. Through rain, sleet, snow, or hail, she had my back ... So many people loved her ... We argue, we debate, we help each other. That's a sister that I never had, a best friend that I never had."
Watch Floyd Mayweather discuss the topic below (35:14-43:43):