Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather recently disclosed an unsettling experience of racism during a real estate transaction with retired emergency room doctor turned real estate developer, Joseph Englanoff. Mayweather, known for his impeccable professional boxing career, retired in 2017 but continues to engage in exhibition bouts, drawing substantial PPV attention.
The incident unfolded when Mayweather expressed interest in purchasing a sprawling 35,000 square foot mansion nestled in the hills of Bel-Air, listed at a staggering $139 million. The property belonged to Joseph Englanoff, who hosted Mayweather for a dinner party at his home to finalize the deal.
Mayweather, in an interview with Los Angeles Magazines, shared his discomfort, stating that despite an initially amicable atmosphere, the evening took a distressing turn when Englanoff served him fried chicken and watermelon in what Mayweather perceived as a racially insensitive manner.
“He was really cool with me at first,” Mayweather remarked, highlighting the abrupt shift in tone when the Englanoffs presented him with fried chicken in a silver ice bucket without utensils and a tray of watermelon. The boxing icon expressed his surprise and disappointment at encountering such casual racism.
However, Englanoff provided a different perspective, stating that Mayweather had invited himself to his family’s home and requested food. According to Englanoff, it was late, and his wife was preparing chicken drumlets for the next day’s dinner, offering a plate for Mayweather to snack on during their conversation by the fire pit.
Mayweather staunchly refuted Englanoff’s version, and even his bodyguard, who was present during the incident, supported Mayweather’s claims, deeming the actions as “straight-up racists” with the mention of fried chicken and watermelon.
In an attempt to shift the narrative, Mayweather and his legal team raised suspicions about a potential tax evasion scheme orchestrated by Englanoff. The boxing sensation accused Englanoff of employing the sale of the mega-mansion as a cover to evade California taxes, unraveling a complex web of financial maneuvers.