Floyd Mayweather Jr. Inducted into International Boxing Hall of Fame

Mayweather called the induction one of the highlights of his career.

Mayweather called the induction one of the highlights of his career.

Over the weekend, retired professional boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. cried tears of joy at a banquet in his honor celebrating his official induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Mayweather was originally supposed to be inducted several years ago, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the ceremony twice.

“I done a lot in my career, but this is by far the best,” Mayweather said in his acceptance speech. “I want to thank the International Boxing Hall of Fame for giving me this. This right here is going to my dad because he deserves it. Bernard Hopkins said it best, ‘You’ve got to earn it,’ and my dad earned this ring.”

“I want to say thank you to everybody for your support. I want to tell all the fighters — thank you, you guys are remarkable. There wouldn’t be no me without you guys.”

Including Mayweather, a total of 27 boxers were enshrined in the Hall of Fame. This number also includes the first female boxers to join the Hall of Fame: Christy Martin, Laila Ali, Lucia Rijker, Regina Halmich, and Holly Holm. The only member of this 27 not present at the show was Wladimir Klitschko, whose is currently aiding his brother, Mayor Vitali Klitschko of the Ukrainian city of Kyiv.