Justin Bieber and rapper Lil Wayne flanked Floyd Mayweather Jr. as he walked to the ring to fight Saul “Canelo” Alvarez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday, in what was one of the most hyped and reportedly highest grossing fights of all time.
It was a second walk out for the trio who, along with rapper 50 Cent, made for an interesting entrance to Mayweather’s May 2012 face-off against Miguel Cotto. Weezy also walked the boxer to his fight against Robert Guerrero this May.
Last night’s power walk saw Lil Wayne rap “A Milli” shirtlessly, while Bieber kept it fierce with an all-black ensemble of T-shirt, leather pants, two chains, and sunglasses.
For his part, 36-year-old Mayweather wore a blue outfit, a TBE hat (“The Best Ever”), and chewed gum during his entrance.
Known for hyping fights over the years and making more money because of it, Vegas saw “Money Mayweather” punch his way to his 45th victory.
After 12 rounds and a majority decision, the new super welterweight champion reportedly picked up $41.5 million before percentages on tickets sales and pay per view are added.
Mexican star Alvarez, 23, reportedly pocketed $12.5 million.
Hours before the fight, Justin posted an old Instagram snap of himself and “The One” at their pre-fight meet in May 2012.
His caption expressed support for Mayweather and directed users to Showtime’s website.
Before the match, the 19-year-old also tweeted , “On my way to see the champ. #vegas.”
Post match Bieber had a little something to say about the judge (C. J. Ross) who saw a draw, and he wasn’t the only one. Former undisputed heavyweight world champ Lennox Lewis and one-time WBA welterweight champion Ricky Hatton also registered their displeasure on Twitter .
The “Baby” singer took to Twitter to post a boxing ring photo,
#MoneyTeam #thechamp #undefeated pic.twitter.com/7ByRwyoBWD
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) September 15, 2013
Justin added,
Who calls a draw? That guy was watching the wrong fight. @FloydMayweather is the greatest. #MoneyTeam still #undefeated — Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) September 15, 2013
Bieber flew into Las Vegas via private jet with a coterie of friends including younger brother Jaxon, ex-girlfriend Jacque Pyles, business magnate Elon Musk, venture capitalist Shervin Pishevar and his family, among others.
Other starry guests at the MGM grand included heavyweights in their own field — Jack Nicholson, Liam Hemsworth, Denzel Washington, Magic Johnson, Michael Phelps, William H. Macy, LL Cool J, Peter Berg, Wayne Gretzky, Heidi Klum, and Don Cheadle among the thousands in attendance.
Given that the day before Bieber terrified DC. fan boys with an Instagram of a very probably fake copy of a Batman vs. Superman script, Twitter reaction to the Canadian’s Vegas appearance was a surprisingly mixed bag of the usual detractors to grudging then undiluted approval.
Many commented that the teen star acquitted himself well enough and added to the theater of the night. Summing Mayweather and his hype team, Bleacher Report noted ,
“He is the perfect blend of talent and excitement. Everything he does—including his appearance with Bieber and Lil Wayne on Saturday—is by design. He’s much more intelligent outside of the ring than people give him credit for.”
“Me and @floydmayweather right now before the fight. Go to showtime.net and order on PPW now,” via Justin Bieber’s Instagram.
A snapshot of related tweets below:
• Justin in the ring tonight after the fight in Vegas! (2) pic.twitter.com/AWe9Cz9kFM
— BelieveTourUpdates™ (@BelieveTUpdates) September 15, 2013
Still disappointed that Canelo lost and will never ever understand what Lil Wayne was saying during the Money entrance. #Mayweather
— Darryl Dioso (@DarrylRMSG) September 15, 2013
Bieber won pic.twitter.com/rJWPFaA2nz
— Andy Pop (@andyp0p) September 15, 2013
My main #TheOne takeaways: Anticlimactic fight. Lil Wayne couldn’t find a shirt. Diddy found a yellow one. Bieber was there. — Bill Werde (@bwerde) September 15, 2013
. @justinbieber moments ago walking @FloydMayweather to the ring for his fight pic.twitter.com/uoPOt7ykbM — The Bump (@bumpshow) September 15, 2013
Starting to get the feeling that Justin Bieber is the coolest dude out, so many athletes/celebrities chill with him haha — Jeremy Auster (@JPAuster) September 15, 2013
Floyd is gonna make me go buy a Bieber CD….
— mark mcgrath (@mark_mcgrath) September 15, 2013
Btw @justinbieber looking like a full boss with the money team! Lets go @FloydMayweather — Aston (@AstonMerrygold) September 15, 2013
Justin Bieber with the full arm sleeve, can’t hate on a millionaire before 21 walking on with money mayweather — Andrew Prater (@The_NotoriousP) September 15, 2013
Top black ppl in the world! Floyd Mayweather, Lil Wayne and Justin Bieber. — Kevin Hart™ (@KevinHeartReal) September 15, 2013
@justinbieber One of the many legends inside the MGM Grand tonight! We’re lucky to have you here! #theone #liveatmgm
— MGM Grand Hotel (@MGMGrand) September 15, 2013
Elon Musk flew to the Mayweather/Canelo fight on a private jet with Justin Bieber http://t.co/CajMGUrIyD — BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) September 15, 2013
And @justinbieber on his other side. #TheOne — Paul Rosenberg (@rosenberg) September 15, 2013
Justin Bieber is part of “Money Team” because he’s made 58 million this year alone and there’s still 3 months of 2013 left. What’ve you done — Jared Walker (@JaredWalker_) September 15, 2013
MAYWEATHER WALKING TO THE RING WITH SWAG, JUSTIN BIEBER JUST MOON WALKING TO THE RING, AND LIL WAYNE RANTING IN THE MIC.
— Marcos Garcia (@GotDeportedYolo) September 15, 2013
Ey all bullshit aside, coming out with Bieber everytime is hilarious and gets that man cool points. Lol — Timothy DeLaGhetto (@Traphik) September 15, 2013
Shahidi / Musk / Bieber brothers + @shervin ( @elonmusk @kimbal @justinbieber @jaxonbieber @sammy ) #TheMoneyTeam pic.twitter.com/ThgakG5tNe
— John Shahidi (@john) September 15, 2013
justinbieber’s photo http://t.co/Q2C8v32WSB #TheMoneyTeam — Floyd Mayweather (@FloydMayweather) September 14, 2013
[ Images via USA Today, Believe Tour Updates Twitter , Justin Bieber Instagram, ITV , YouTube ]