Torii Hunter is being criticized for sending out a controversial tweet about Saturday night’s “Fight of the Century.”
The Minnesota Twins outfielder tweeted his support for Floyd Mayweather ahead of the fight against Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather’s alleged history of domestic violence took center stage leading up to the title fight, which he won.
“Don’t let emotions clog ur judgement. What Mayweather does in the ring is business. What he does outside the ring has nothing to do with me,” the tweet read, NBC Sports says.
He tweeted again in an attempt to explain his first tweet:
“I’m just saying he know how to fight in the ring people. Don’t over analyze this. I don’t support domestic violence. Stay focused!!!,” the Pioneer Press notes.
Both tweets were deleted, but his initial tweet about the fight remains.
I got Money Mayweather tonight.!👊🏾
— Torii Hunter (@toriihunter48) May 3, 2015
Reaction to Hunter’s tweet Saturday was swift, Yahoo Sports notes, with both reporters and people on social media expressing their feelings.
@toriihunter48 this is a horrific stance
— Lana Berry (@Lana) May 3, 2015
“So here’s Torii Hunter summed up: who a man kisses in the privacy of his home is his business; men beating up women is none of his business,” NBC Sports’ Bill Baer wrote, referencing another instance Hunter got himself into some hot water when he was quoted saying it would be “difficult and uncomfortable” to have a gay teammate due to his religious beliefs.
Local Twins blogger Aaron Gleeman tweeted, “Torii Hunter felt the need to tell everyone that Floyd Mayweather physically abusing women isn’t worth caring about.”
Well @toriihunter48 deleted the most ignorant tweet of the night. The internet never forgets man… pic.twitter.com/sNHSM0HwUy
— William Pitts (@william_pitts) May 3, 2015
Hunter spoke with the Pioneer Press Sunday regarding the tweets, apologizing if he offended anyone and said he was not endorsing domestic violence and he could have worded his tweet better.
He also said he agreed with the way his son, who also tweeted about Mayweather, handled the wording of his tweet, the newspaper says.
You gotta give credit where credit is due. Although I don't condone what he does outside of the ring. Dude can still fight at the age of 38.
— Torii Hunter Jr. (@THunterJr) May 3, 2015
Hunter will be at Ridgedale Mall in Minnetonka Sunday night signing autographs and posing for photos, the Star Tribune reports.
