His criminal record says otherwise, but convicted domestic abuser Floyd Mayweather Jr. denies being a woman beater.
In an interview with Katie Couric promoting his May 2 “Fight of the Century” against Manny Pacquiao, the boxing champion painted himself as the victim of a lying, drugged-up ex-girlfriend and a prejudiced criminal justice system that forced him to serve two months in jail in 2012.
?Did I kick, stomp and beat someone? No, that didn?t happen. I look in your face and say, ?No, that didn?t happen,? Mayweather said of the alleged September 2010 incident involving Josie Harris, the mother of three of his children – two of whom witnessed the the attack and were reportedly threatened by the boxer.
“Did I restrain a woman that was on drugs? Yes, I did. So if they say that?s domestic violence, then, you know what? I?m guilty. I?m guilty of restraining a person.?
More than three years later, Mayweather suggests he never had a chance at beating the charges.
?I?m black. I?m rich. And I?m outspoken,” he said. “Those are three strikes right there.”
Those perceived handicaps didn’t prevent Mayweather from avoiding jailtime in 2002 and 2003, when he received a pair of suspended sentences in two similar incidents involving violence against women.
While Mayweather has seemingly managed to work the system in his favor, Pacquiao wants to carry out his own brand of justice when they meet in the ring, according to trainer Freddie Roach.
?Manny is really against domestic violence,? Roach told USA Today Sports. ?Manny does not like the guy. I think the killer instinct is going to come back a lot faster.?
