Floyd Mayweather will pay for George Floyd's funeral

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Tuesday, June 2, 2020
George Floyd family attorney announces funeral plans
We know George Floyd's body is coming back to his hometown of Houston, but there are other things happening honoring the Houstonian elsewhere.

Former boxing champion Floyd Mayweather has offered to pay for George Floyd's funeral and memorial services, and the family has accepted the offer.



Mayweather personally has been in touch with the family, according to Leonard Ellerbe, the CEO of Mayweather Promotions. He will handle costs for the funeral on June 9 in Houston, as well as other expenses.



SEE ALSO: George Floyd's funeral set for next Tuesday in Houston



Floyd, a black man, died May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd's neck while Floyd was handcuffed and saying that he couldn't breathe. His death sparked protests in Minneapolis and around the country, some of which became violent.



SEE ALSO: Trump says he is mobilizing 'heavily armed' military to stop protests



TMZ originally reported Mayweather's offer, and said he will also pay for services in Minnesota and North Carolina.



"He'll probably get mad at me for saying that, but yes, he is definitely paying for the funeral," Ellerbe told ESPN.com on Monday.



Mayweather, who retired undefeated after 50 fights, winning five division titles, also paid for the funeral of an opponent.



He won his first world championship when he stopped Genaro Hernandez for the WBC super featherweight title in 1998. Hernandez died 13 years later of cancer, and Mayweather handled funeral expenses.



Mayweather is considered one of the best boxers of his generation. Among the champion boxers he defeated before retiring in 2017, are Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez, Oscar de la Hoya and Miguel Cotto.



The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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