Despite 50 Cent’s jabs at Floyd Mayweather, the pound for pound boxing kingpin has remained relatively quiet aside from a few social media posts. Perhaps he’s so focused on his fight that he’s opted to ignore Curtis Jackson’s suggestion that Mayweather cannot read. Or, maybe he doesn’t feel the need to engage with his former friend on the matter. Nevertheless, Mayweather spoke up on the perceived rivalry during his media day in Las Vegas. And, surprisingly, his retort wasn’t filled with as much vitriol as one would expect.
“I think it is safe to say that I was his real friend but he wasn’t my real friend,” Mayweather explained almost apologetically. “A lot of times, because of our upbringing we tend to not be loyal or happy. And when we’re not happy we don’t want to see other people happy.”
It was as if Mayweather almost felt sorry for his former friend turned foe. But it wouldn’t be a Mayweather response without a thinly veiled jab at the G-Unit head honcho.
“I wish 50 Cent nothing but the best,” Mayweather continued. “I don’t know if he’s still making music. The last time I checked he was a boxing promoter but I still wish him nothing but the best.”
This marks the second time that Mayweather has questioned 50 Cent’s relevancy in the music industry. With the release of the G-Unit EP The Beauty of Independence a little over a week ago and 50 Cent’s Animal Ambition dropping in June, it is evident that the Queens rapper has made a conscious effort to reintroduce himself to the rap game after an extended hiatus. But Mayweather suggesting that he is unaware of 50’s recent musical releases is yet another salvo fired in the ongoing war.
But when it came to Mayweather’s literacy, the boxing champion went for the knockout blow.
When asked about the civil unrest in Ferguson after the shooting death of Michael Brown at the hands of police, Mayweather addressed the need for the community to work together in order to find a solution to the sustained police brutality issues that have become alarmingly more frequent. He strayed from suggesting anything specifically, but took the opportunity to fire another verbal jab at 50 Cent.
“I was thinking about something when you asked me about 50 Cent,” Mayweather said as if a light bulb appeared above his head. “If you really want to donate money, how about you donate money to Michael Brown’s family?”
The 37-year-old champion was addressing 50 Cent’s “ALS/ESL challenge” on Instagram in exchange for a $750,000 charity donation. While he took a brief shot at the rapper on his “All Access” reality show, Mayweather chose a more direct approach when speaking to the group of writers gathered at his gym.
“I shouldn’t stop you (from donating money to charitable organizations),” Mayweather continued. “Our company has been donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to different organizations for years without looking for the media attention. The best thing for 50 Cent to do is to donate the $750k to Michael Brown’s family.”
Will 50 Cent answer the challenge?
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