Earlier this year, Ronda Rousey became one of Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s critics when the undefeated boxer said that he didn't know her during an interview. The MMA fighter took a shot at him by citing his involvement in past domestic violence issues, and it looked like the two star athletes were going to be at odds for quite some time.
But in a surprising development, Mayweather recently spoke with Fight Hype to defend Rousey against online haters following her stunning loss to Holly Holm last Saturday.
"I don't think it's cool how everyone is trolling her on social media," said Mayweather. The boxer explained that on some days, people will seem to love someone, only to turn against them the next day and "it's nothing but negative comments and people making jokes and people making fun about you, which I don't think is cool."
Rousey was knocked out when Holm hit her with a kick to the head during the second part of the fight. Minutes after the fight, the Internet was flooded with a lot of memes which put Rousey in an unfavorable light, and many people criticized her poor sportsmanship and her anger towards Holm, particularly after she refused to touch gloves with the other fighter prior to the fight.
Mayweather also talked about the issue with Fight Hype and said that he feels that although fighters may have earned their success during the course of their career, it's only right to touch gloves with the other fighter as a sign of respect.
"I just feel like if you was touching gloves from the beginning, I think just because you make more money and you got commercials now and you're the female face of MMA, I think it's only right…you should continue to do so," Mayweather explained.
He ended the interview with some encouraging words for Rousey, telling her to hold her head up high and not let her loss discourage her.
"If you need help as far as with boxing, I'm here to help you," he said. "Her ground game is unbelievable. She'll be okay."
