Floyd Mayweather has named Eddie Hearn's rival, Leonard Ellerbe, as his "ride or die" after being inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame.
Mayweather has gone down as one of the greatest fighters in history having retired with an untarnished professional record of 50 wins and zero losses. The American icon was inducted to the Boxing Hall of Fame and was invited to the stage to give a speech, during which he broke down in tears.
In his speech, he paid tribute to his 26-year relationship with Ellerbe, who has worked with him as co-promoter at Mayweather Promotions. "Leonard Ellerbe, my ride or die," Mayweather said at the Boxing Hall of Fame induction ceremony. "26 years we have stuck together and until the casket drops we will continue to stick together and work together. Why? Because I am loyal.
"Life is all about loyalty. Everybody in this room's definition is totally different but I will stick with you through the good times the bad times and the ugly times." Ellerbe is currently at the helm of Mayweather Promotions, which was founded by the boxing legend in 2007.
He looks after a stable of successful fighters, which includes three-weight world champion Gervonta Davis. During his time in the spotlight, Ellerbe has formed a furious feud with Matchroom Boxing kingpin Hearn. The pair have traded verbal barbs for several weeks, with Ellerbe accusing Hearn of "blowing his $1billion budget" since signing with streaming service DAZN.
A fight has even been proposed between the pair with Hearn opening as a betting favourite for the contest. Hearn has recently renewed his claim that he would step beyond the ropes against Ellerbe. "Everyone sent me [those odds], 1/3? I wonder what Leonard Ellerbe weighs at the moment, because I'm nearly 16 stone now. I've [lost] like two and a half stone. I'm training for this opportunity, not for that opportunity with Leonard but for this big opportunity that will probably present itself soon," Hearn told iFL TV.
Who would win if the pair fought - Leonard Ellerbe or Eddie Hearn? Let us know in the c omments section below
" Jake Paul, Leonard Ellerbe whoever it is. There is a price, $10million that's the price. I guess Jake Paul is the bigger fight, maybe $20million for the Jake Paul fight. [Mike] Coppinger messaged me last night and said 'that does over a million buys in the UK, why don't you do it for charity?'
"I said 'we'll do a little bit for charity, I want to get paid as well because I'll probably get knocked out'. So, $10million is my number, if you think about the split in terms of popularity and success ,Ellerbe should get $500,000, I get $10 million. Easy fight to make."
Ellerbe issued an angry response on social media, warning his rival to stop playing games, writing: "Look bi*** stop playing with me. I’m not going to play these kid games with you, it’s fun and games to you until s*** get real."
