Mayweather meets with Chechen dictator

The undefeated boxer visited Ramzan Kadyrov in Chechnya on Thursday. 

Floyd Mayweather made some interesting friends during his time in the Russian Federation.

Following a short stay in Moscow, the undefeated boxer traveled to Chechnya to spend some time with Ramzan Kadyrov, the republic’s ruthless dictator. Mayweather was pictured dining in Kadyrov’s palace, as well as at various landmarks around the Chechen Republic. He even took selfies with Kadyrov, a controversial figure with a long list of human rights abuses to his name.

Mayweather initially ventured to the Russian Federation to attend the grand opening of a new boxing gym in Moscow, and to coach an accompanying masterclass in Moscow. According to reports, Mayweather was paid over $86,500 for the day’s effort. Shortly thereafter, he headed to Chechnya at Kadyrov’s invitation.

The head of the Chechen Republic later commented on their meeting, where he revealed that Mayweather “highly appreciated the conditions created for the development of martial arts in Chechnya” after visiting the state-funded Akhmat gyms in Grozny. Kadyrov also added that Mayweather plans to “invite a team of trainers in boxing and MMA from the US.”

Дорогие друзья! В Чечню по моему приглашению прибыл чемпион мира в пяти весовых категориях, легенда бокса, не знающий горечь поражений Флойд Мейвезер. Вместе с гостем мы посетили многофункциональный спорткомплекс клуба “Ахмат” в Гудермесе. Мейвезер ознакомился с тренировочным процессом, посмотрел показательные выступления боксеров и бойцов ММА, пообщался со спортсменами. Он высоко оценил условия, созданные для развития единоборств в Чечне. Гость остался под приятным впечатлением от общения с людьми и увиденной в Грозном, Гудермесе и Аргуне картины. Флойд намерен совершить в республику повторный визит и пригласить команду тренеров по боксу и ММА из США. Надеюсь, что наше сотрудничество будет носить долгосрочный и продуктивный характер. Уверен, опыт такого великого спортсмена будет бесценен для воспитанников клуба “Ахмат”. #Кадыров #Россия #Чечня #Бокс #Мейвезер #ММА

A post shared by Ramzan Kadyrov (@kadyrov_95) on Mar 16, 2017 at 1:05pm PDT

Mayweather is far from the first notable athlete to visit the Chechen leader, though he may be the most well known. Countless UFC fighters, including a handful of former champions like Fabricio Werdum, Frank Mir, Chris Weidman, and Frankie Edgar have been paid to attend his MMA events in Grozny, Chechnya. He has also promoted kickboxing shows headlined by Badr Hari (who was infamously pictured with a gold Ak-47 in Kadyrov’s bathtub) and even hosted actors like Steven Seagal.

The undefeated boxer visited Ramzan Kadyrov in Chechnya on Thursday. 

Floyd Mayweather made some interesting friends during his time in the Russian Federation.

Following a short stay in Moscow, the undefeated boxer traveled to Chechnya to spend some time with Ramzan Kadyrov, the republic’s ruthless dictator. Mayweather was pictured dining in Kadyrov’s palace, as well as at various landmarks around the Chechen Republic. He even took selfies with Kadyrov, a controversial figure with a long list of human rights abuses to his name.

Mayweather initially ventured to the Russian Federation to attend the grand opening of a new boxing gym in Moscow, and to coach an accompanying masterclass in Moscow. According to reports, Mayweather was paid over $86,500 for the day’s effort. Shortly thereafter, he headed to Chechnya at Kadyrov’s invitation.

The head of the Chechen Republic later commented on their meeting, where he revealed that Mayweather “highly appreciated the conditions created for the development of martial arts in Chechnya” after visiting the state-funded Akhmat gyms in Grozny. Kadyrov also added that Mayweather plans to “invite a team of trainers in boxing and MMA from the US.”

Mayweather is far from the first notable athlete to visit the Chechen leader, though he may be the most well known. Countless UFC fighters, including a handful of former champions like Fabricio Werdum, Frank Mir, Chris Weidman, and Frankie Edgar have been paid to attend his MMA events in Grozny, Chechnya. He has also promoted kickboxing shows headlined by Badr Hari (who was infamously pictured with a gold Ak-47 in Kadyrov’s bathtub) and even hosted actors like Steven Seagal.