Domestic violence has hit the headlines again. The release of the video of former Baltimore Ravens player Ray Rice knocking out his then-fiancée, now wife, Janay Palmer in an elevator has sparked an explosion of debate about domestic violence. The running back was let go by the NFL team last week after TMZ released a second video of his brutal assault and now sits at home, out of a job and at the center of enormous public scrutiny.
One of the few people who publically defended Rice is Floyd Mayweather, the highest-paid athlete in the world who just pocketed a minimum of $32 million for his fight on Saturday against Marcos Maidana.
“I think there are a lot worse things that go on in other people’s households,” Mayweather said.
It is not unlikely that the boxing superstar was referring to his own household.
Mayweather is undeniably a misogynist and a serial batterer amongst other names I would like to call him. His history of misogyny spreads over a dozen years and incorporates at least seven separate physical assaults on five different women that developed into arrests or citations. In addition to this, there have been numerous other instances in which the police had to be called in response to a threat from Mayweather. Yet, this man is still able to compete in his sport and make millions from people who are paying $78 apiece to watch him fight.
The only difference between Rice and Mayweather is the fact that Rice’s abuse was caught on camera, and Mayweather is obnoxiously aware of this.
“Like I’ve said in the past, no bumps, no bruises, no nothing; you guys have yet to see any pictures of a battered woman, a woman who says she was kicked and beaten by me,” Mayweather said.
He is not saying that he hasn’t battered women, but that we have not seen him do it, which is a ludicrous defense—a defense proven successful for him and others such as 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald and Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy. McDonald is facing a domestic violence charge, and Hardy has been found guilty of assault; nevertheless, they both continue to suit up and play for their teams just like Mayweather, who collects paychecks and sells out arenas.
Mayweather has shown no remorse for his crimes and exhibits arrogance for his treatment of women that is observed by the masses. He is a superstar, admired by many, and his fights are among the biggest events in sports and the hottest tickets in Las Vegas. Despite the fact there might not be actual footage of Mayweather’s attacks, he has pleaded guilty on several occasions. Does he not deserve the same level of scrutiny as Rice?
It is frustrating to see Mayweather slipping through the media’s attention without major condemnation. The Professional Boxing Media should be held accountable for ignorantly promoting such a dangerous role model. His crimes should not be excused because of his skills in the ring. I wonder if people would pay to watch him if they knew he was inflicting the same punches on defenseless women.
