30 little-known facts about Floyd Mayweather Jr.

29. Mayweather has a heinous history of domestic violence

In 2014, Deadspin’s Daniel Roberts published an important, thoroughly-researched, disturbing and provocative piece detailing Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s heinous history of domestic violence. When Mayweather finally fought Manny Pacquiao in 2015, the bout’s crossover appeal led to another round of investigation into this dark aspect of Mayweather’s life. This prompted a handful of tense, on-air interviews, like the above one where Rachel Nichols grills Mayweather, as well as embarrassing softball sit-downs as when Katie Couric was asking the questions.

Here are some details about Mayweather’s history of domestic violence, courtesy of Roberts’ piece:

"Floyd Mayweather’s history of misogyny, expressed—as he is wont to do—through violence, is well-documented and reprehensible. It extends over a dozen years and includes at least seven separate physical assaults on five different women that resulted in arrest or citation, as well as several other instances where the police had to be summoned in response to an actual or perceived threat from Mayweather."

These are just the skeleton facts, and Roberts’ piece goes into the necessary depth required to unpack the slew of allegations and charges against Mayweather. Although Mayweather was incarcerated for two months in a misdemeanor domestic battery case, he’s largely avoided significant punishment and has even retained high-profile supporters, like sycophant pundit Stephen A. Smith.

For those on the fence about Mayweather’s misogyny, look no further than the Showtime-televised documentary about his lifestyle called 30 Days in May, which Roberts refers to as an “informercial” in his piece. Consider this Mayweather soundbite that Roberts highlights:

"When it comes to females … even though you can’t drive 10 cars at one time, but … you got people that got 10 cars. So, you’re able to keep maintenance up on 10 cars. So, I feel that, as far as when it comes to females, that same thing should apply. If you’re able to take care of 20, then you should have 20."

Forget Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s fighting ability, his celebrity status and his community work in Las Vegas. His history of domestic violence cannot be ignored, dismissed or diminished.