Win! Floyd Mayweather’s visa denied due to domestic violence convictions

It has been reported that the Australian Government has denied a visa to millionaire boxer and convicted domestic violence offender Floyd Mayweather. A petition started by Angela Burrows, a crisis worker with a domestic violence service and Collective Shout’s Townsville representative had amassed over 46,000 signatures when the announcement was made today.

As reported in the Herald Sun:

THE world’s highest paid athlete Floyd Mayweather has been banned from Australia due to his history of domestic violence.

Mayweather was scheduled to arrive in Melbourne this week for a series of dinners and nightclub appearances on Thursday.

But Australian authorities denied Mayweather’s application for a visa.

Assistant Immigration Minister Michaelia Cash confirmed to the Herald Sun: “a visa has not been granted in this case”

Campaigners against domestic violence had lobbied to have the boxer barred from Australia as the American had served time in jail for assaulting a former partner in front of the couple’s children.

Domestic Violence Victoria CEO Fiona McCormack had also called for the boxer to be banned from the country. Mayweather’s publicist Max Markson had tried to divert attention from his crimes against women, by promising to donate money to charities benefiting the homeless and aboriginal children.

As recently as September 2014, Mayweather was making comments to the media denying guilt for his own criminal convictions saying “there are no pictures” and downplaying another high profile incident where a footballer knocked his partner unconscious. In response to this, one sports commentator described his attitude as that of a ‘serial abuser.’

Over 46000 people made their voices heard and have ensured that this serial abuser will not be held up as a role model for children in Australia.

This victory sends an important message not only to Floyd Mayweather but to Australia and the US – it doesn’t matter how wealthy and popular you are, domestic violence is inexcusable and we will not tolerate it.

Angela Burrows was interviewed for 3AW Melbourne’s Drive program with Tom Elliot.

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Listen to Angela Burrows discuss the petition on 30th January (Listen from 1:19:00 to hear Angela)

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Listen to Angela Burrows on 4th February discussing the success of the petition (Listen from approx 1:43:30 to hear Angela)

February 6th, 2015

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