Floyd Mayweather Goes On Lengthy Rant About Kyrie Irving's Covid-19 Vaccination Stance

Floyd Mayweather has had his say on the Covid-19 vaccination row that has engulfed a number of high-profile athletes.

The former boxing world champion has now thrown his support behind anti-vaxx NBA player Kyrie Irving, adding that "choice is being stripped from us" if sports stars are forced into getting the jab in order to play.

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With sports around the globe returning to some sort of normality, there has been a push to get all athletes vaccinated in a bid to comply with strict coronavirus regulations that differ from state-to-state or country-to-country.

And the NBA has been at the forefront of that push.

But Brooklyn Nets guard Irving, who remains unvaccinated, is currently barred from playing games in New York because of the state's vaccine mandate.

Irving's stance has been a hot topic of late with plenty of big-name former players and analysts alike slamming him for his actions.

Well, now Mayweather has weighed in too - but he's not exactly in the same boat as Kyrie's critics.

In a video posted online, the undefeated boxing legend offered us all a glimpse into his own thoughts on the vaccine, leaping to the defence of Irving by encouraging him to keep fighting for his beliefs.

"Kyrie, whats up, I know you're going through a lot. We had the chance to hang out in 2016 when you represented America, when you represented the red, white and blue," Mayweather said.

"You only want to be treated fairly. I was going to post something on my social media pages but I decided to do it the old-school way and read something out to you because you're a great person, a great father, a great athlete and you believe what you believe.

"America is the land of the free; freedom of speech, freedom of religion and, supposedly, freedom to choose. Never be controlled by money, I respect you for having some integrity and for being your own man.

"A free mind makes his own choices and a slave mind follows the crowd. Stand for something or fall for anything. One man can lead a revolution, to stand up and fight for what's right. One choice, one word, one action can change the world.

"It's crazy how people hate you for being a leader. I hope your actions encourage many others to stand up and say enough is enough. Respect to you Kyrie and power to the people."

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Mayweather also posted a lengthy caption on Instagram to accompany his rant.

"Choice is defined as an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities. To my understanding, America gave us the choice to take the vaccine or not take the vaccine originally," Mayweather wrote.

"As time moves on, that choice is gradually being stripped from us. Limiting the jobs we can do, places we can go, and activities we can perform. Trying to beat us into submission of what they say is best for us.

"It's sad people are hated, punished, teased, and discriminated for not taking the vaccine, for making their own choice, standing up for what they not only think is right, but know is right for them and their families.

"I am Pro Choice. A person should be free to make the decision best suited for themself. If we can't make our own decisions we are not truly free. Our forefathers, fought for our freedom as our soldiers, first responders, and patriots continue to do to this day. Why is it when someone decides to do something differently from what we are told, it is right we condemn them? Condemn them for making a choice, choosing to be free, choosing to not conform to the norms society tells us to conform to.

"I'm Pro Choice, we all should have a right to choose what we want, what is best for ourselves, what is best for our loved ones! If you decide to take the vaccine fine. If you decide to not take the vaccine fine. Rather respect should be earned by everyone who makes their own choice and chooses liberty!

"For myself, my children, my loved ones... I choose life, I choose liberty, I choose freedom!"

Topics: Kyrie Irving, Basketball, Boxing, NBA, vaccine, Australia, vaccination, Floyd Mayweather, Covid-19

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry