If you were looking for Floyd Mayweather to go after Ronda Rousey following her UFC 193 loss to Holly Holm, then you’re out of luck.
The undefeated boxer spoke out on Rousey for the first time Monday to Fight Hype’s Ben Thompson, and he actually defended the former UFC women’s bantamweight champion against the Internet hate she has received.
“I don’t think it’s cool how everyone is trolling her on social media,” Mayweather said. “Certain things you have to learn. People will love you on Friday, and then Sunday morning, it’s nothing but negative comments and people making jokes and people making fun about you, which I don’t think is cool.”
Still, Mayweather didn’t miss the opportunity to make a little passive-aggressive comment about how he’s undefeated.
“I’ve never been on the other side, so I don’t know how it feels,” Mayweather said. “I’m pretty sure she’s a very, very strong person, but we still have to take into consideration that she has feelings.
“Everything happens for a reason. This was already written. Listen, if God says, ‘In Floyd’s career, I don’t want him to lose,’ you know what? I wasn’t going to lose. That doesn’t mean that I haven’t took a loss before. I’m not talking about boxing; I’m just talking about life. When you lose a loved one, that’s taking a loss.
“I think that everything is just a learning experience. In due time, she’ll be able to bounce back and make some noise again in mixed martial arts.”
Mayweather’s defense of Rousey is pretty surprising given their heated history. He even denied 50 Cent’s claim that he told the rapper to post memes to Instagram poking fun at Rousey.
“That’s not true at all,” Mayweather said. “I haven’t really spoke to anyone about the Ronda Rousey situation, just to set the record straight. I don’t have anything against MMA fighters. It’s just like boxing; you win some, you lose some. A true champion can take a loss and bounce back.”
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
