Floyd Mayweather Mocks Oscar De La Hoya's Addiction on Instagram, Then Apologizes
'I ... Would Never Personally Disrespect Him,' Says Undefeated Boxer
Floyd Mayweather Jr. apologized for mocking Oscar De La Hoya's substance abuse after winning his much-anticipated fight against Saul "Canelo" Alvarez Saturday night. De La Hoya had speculated that Mayweather would lose the fight, but after winning, the boxer suggested the 40-year-old retired boxer had been "high."
Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s jab at De La Hoya came Monday in the form of a picture of the "Golden Boy" looking mournful with the caption: "Meanwhile in rehab – Oscar: 'I gave Canelo the wrong Blueprint I was high.'" De La Hoya checked himself into a substance abuse facility recently.
However, after backlash, Mayweather apologized, dodging responsibility for the meme being posted in the first place.
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"It's unfortunate that a stupid picture was posted to my Instagram account earlier today that was not posted by me or authorized by me to post," Mayweather stated on his official website and on Instagram. "As I clearly stated during my fight week and again in the postfight press conference, I completely support Oscar De La Hoya and his family during this difficult time in his life. I stand by him unconditionally and would never personally disrespect him or anyone else who struggles with addiction."
"I apologize to Oscar and his family for this posting. I wish him well and am rooting for him to win his fight too. I also apologize to all of my followers for this ridiculous post. I have no ill-will towards anyone," he added.
Previously, the 36-year-old boxer was not as supportive of De La Hoya. Despite the Mexican-American boxer's Golden Boy Promotions widely advertising his fight with Alvarez, Mayweather lashed out at De La Hoya for suggesting his undefeated record, then 44-0, could be tarnished.
"I feel like Oscar couldn't beat the king so he wants to see someone else beat the king," Mayweather Jr. told the Los Angeles Times, referring to their 2007 fight, in which he won by split decision. "It's chess. … I can knock them all off the board. I'm amazing like that."
"Oscar's just jealous of me. He don't have money like me. He's not flyer than me. [He] … likes to run around with this Golden Boy image, which we know really is [false]. He's always been jealous of me. I'm the total package."
