Retired boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. already lost one important person in his life recently after his ex-girlfriend Josie Harris was found dead in her car on March 10. He has now lost another member of his family: Roger Mayweather, Floyd's uncle and a defining figure in his decorated boxing career.
ESPN reports Roger died at the age of 58 after a long battle against diabetes and other illnesses on Tuesday. He was a world boxing champion twice and spent much of his life training Floyd. He was the brother of fellow pro fighters Floyd Mayweather Sr. and Jeff Mayweather.
"My uncle was one of the most important people in my life inside and outside of the ring. Roger was a great champion and one of the best trainers in boxing," Floyd said in a statement posted on the Mayweather Promotions website. "Unfortunately, his health was failing him for several years and now he can finally rest in peace. Roger meant the world to me, my father Floyd Sr., my uncle Jeff, our whole family, everyone in and around the Mayweather Boxing Gym and the entire boxing world."
"It is a terrible loss for all of us. We are thankful for all the love and well-wishes we have already received as word traveled about Roger's passing," the statement continued. "It helps me to see that he was able to touch so many people through his life in boxing, because he gave so much to the sport which was his first and longtime love."
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Roger spent much of his life living in Las Vegas and fought as a boxer for almost two decades from 1981 to 1999, according to ESPN.
Throughout his career, he fought legends like Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., Pernell Whitaker, Kostya Tszyu, Livingstone Bramble, Rafael Pineda, Vinny Pazienza, Rocky Lockridge and Samuel Serrano, winning junior lightweight and junior welterweight championships.
Mayweather Promotions tweeted out about his death and thanked him for his contributions to the sport and to Floyd's career, calling him the "greatest trainer of all time."
We are saddened with the recent news of Roger Mayweather’s passing. Our hearts go out to the Mayweather family and we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. We thank you all for the outpouring of love and support during this time. Roger’s spirit lives on with us forever ♾ pic.twitter.com/MWNsVftoYY
— Mayweather Promotions (@MayweatherPromo) March 17, 2020
The greatest trainer of all time. It was always like witnessing art being created with these two. ???????? #RIPRoger
pic.twitter.com/SFgCnkxzb1— Mayweather Promotions (@MayweatherPromo) March 18, 2020
"This is a sad day for the Mayweather Promotions family because that is truly what Roger was to us. On top of being a phenomenal fighter in his own career, Roger was one of the most essential parts of guiding Floyd to the incredible career he had in becoming the best ever. We hope you keep Floyd and the entire Mayweather family in your thoughts and prayers during this time," said Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe.
ESPN analysts said that in recent years, Roger's lengthy boxing career and the years of hits he took began to take a toll on his health. He ended his career with a 59-13 record. When Floyd's father was in prison, Roger took over as his trainer and helped him ascend the ranks of boxing.
Top Rank chairman Bob Arum spoke at length about Roger's career and called him the "human voice of the Mayweather camp."
"With all the boasting and stuff that Floyd did, Roger was a reality check," Arum said.
Floyd has not yet released a statement about his ex-girlfriend Harris, who was the mother to his three children. The two had a contentious relationship and were in the middle of a $20 million lawsuit before she was found dead last Tuesday. She said Floyd abused her. She shared that she was outraged when, in one instance, the boxer claimed he was only trying to restrain her during a fight.
He has been posting photos of the two on his Instagram page, calling her his "friend" in one of the posts.
