Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
The uncle of Floyd Mayweather had been battling health problems for years.
There’s some sad news to report from the world of boxing.
Roger Mayweather, a former world champion boxer turned iconic boxing trainer, passed away at just 58 years old. TMZ Sports reported his death on Tuesday, with Mayweather’s camp confirming the news in a statement, adding that Roger succumbed to a long battle with diabetes.
Roger’s passing comes just days after Josie Harris, the mother of Floyd Mayweather’s children (and whom Floyd was sentenced to jail for physically abusing), was found dead in her car, aged just 40. Foul play has been ruled out but her cause of death is yet to be determined.
Known as “The Black Mamba” during his boxing career, Roger Mayweather won and defended major world titles at super-featherweight and junior welterweight on his way to an overall pro record of 59-13 (35 KOs). Along the way, Mayweather defeated the likes of Vinny Pazienza, Samuel Serrano, and Harold Brazier, and also fought legends such as Julio Cesar Chavez Sr (twice) and the late Pernell Whitaker.
In more recent times, Roger gained considerable fame and praise as a trainer, primarily for his nephew Floyd Mayweather Jr. Their partnership lasted about 15 years (1996-1998, 2000-2012) as Floyd went on to become one of the greatest boxers ever and one of the biggest stars in the sport’s history.
“Most people don’t know shit about boxing” is a Roger Mayweather quote, as is this incredible moment in the corner during Floyd Mayweather’s dominant win over Arturo Gatti in 2005.
Over the last several years, Roger Mayweather had suffered from declining health and failing mental faculties, which Floyd attributed to too much accumulated damage from his boxing career. In 2016, Roger was found safe in Las Vegas after he had previously gone missing.
Roger was one of boxing’s most colorful and popular characters and no doubt he’ll be missed by many fans and figures alike.