Floyd Mayweather takes swipe at Jeremy Lin

Knicks guard Jeremy Lin, left, and boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. / Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - Not every athlete is caught up in the Linsanity.

Unbeaten boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. has posted a swipe at the New York Knicks' point guard sensation on Twitter.

Mayweather posted on Monday: "Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he's Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don't get the same praise."

Lin has led the Knicks to five straight victories, including a 38-point game against the Lakers.

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Jeremy Lin: NBA sensation

Later, Mayweather took to Twitter to defend his comment.

"Its OK for ESPN to give their opinion but I say something and everyone questions Floyd Mayweather," the boxer tweeted. "I'm speaking my mind on behalf of other NBA players. They are programmed to be politically correct and will be penalized if they speak up."

He later tweeted: "Other countries get to support/cheer their athletes and everything is fine. As soon as I support Black American athletes, I get criticized."

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Lin, whose parents emigrated from Taiwan in the 70s, is the first American-born NBA player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent.

Mayweather rarely hesitates to air racially charged opinions, either in person or in social media.

He has repeatedly insulted rival Manny Pacquiao, including an online video in 2010 in which he used racial and homophobic slurs against the Filipino congressman.

Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather's top adviser, didn't immediately return a phone call.

[nujmape]

A races and Jealous criminal, shame on you ******

[nujmape]

the race for mayweather is in africa, his color was saved by Pres. Abraham Lincoln, it is better that he go home to Africa, and save his color

[Forty-Four]

I think this kid is just on a hot streak...one that will last a little while longer.

Things like this make news, and yet, the Red Wings setting an all-time NHL record last night doesn't

[Forty-Four]

Nevermind about the second part...they just made one

[TDIVA]

AND I BET ALL U PEOPLE WHO COMMENTED R PALE..

[ashmarie89]

And they say white people are racist....

[JessicaF1978]

Yes, one of the most compelling reasons that Jeremy Lin's story is fantastic is because he's an Asian American playing great basketball in the biggest sports town. The last time I felt good for someone like this, was when this country voted an African American in for president. I'm all for breakthroughs!

[RattlingBones]

"Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he's Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don't get the same praise."


Not for the Knicks they don't.

[bakaotoko]

Mayweather is an immature punk who thinks he is the greatest thing since sliced bread. He is an overpaid big mouth. The real heros are not the atheletes but the American fighting men and women who put their lives on the line everyday and do it for peanuts while the loser Mayweather gets millions. He needs to stop his domestic violence against women and grow up. He is nothing but a spoiled little punk.

[Seacoffee]

Mr Mayweather is little more than a buffoon. Hisremarks reflect it, his attitude displays it and his cowardice proves it. He is an abject disgrace
to all pioneering athletes, regardless of their race, creed or color.
Mr. Mayweather needs to go back to junior high school and get re-educated, for as it stands now, he is a genuine fool.

[baileyccc]

Mayweather needs attention for his upcoming fight and this is the only way he can get a headline. He will forever be known as a racist for his remarks.

[cherrybrown]

Racist much Mr. Mayweather?

Sad, just sad.