An emotional Floyd Mayweather broke down as he praised his long-time assistant and ‘best friend’ Marikit Laurico.
‘Kitchie’ Laurico died last March at the age of 47 after reportedly suffering with health issues.
She had worked with the five-division world champion for much of his 25-year career in boxing.
And speaking on the Pivot podcast this week, the boxing legend heartbreakingly opened up on her death, explaining how Laurico was more than an employee as he shed a few tears.
‘Kitchie was the only person in life that I could talk about anything to, that knew my deepest secrets,’ Mayweather said. ‘There was no male or female in my life that I told more stuff to than her.
Floyd Mayweather broke down as he praised his long-time assistant Marikit Laurico
‘Kitchie’ Laurico died last March at the age of 47 after reportedly suffering with health issues
‘She taught me a lot, she helped me a lot. Through rain, sleet, snow or hail, she had my back.’
He also praised her for refusing to take a hand out for him, despite Mayweather admitting that he could have assisted her financially for any endeavor she’d have wanted to pursue.
‘All my assistant wanted to do was support me and help me be the best man I can be and she wanted my kids just to be positive and she was a positive person,’ he continued.
He revealed that they had already made plans to celebrate her 50th birthday in Aruba and the most recent Super Bowl in Las Vegas – the only one she had wanted to go to.
However, Laurico tragically passed away before they could fulfill their plans. The fighter said that she had been dealing with some health issues, but didn’t specify, and had encouraged her to seek treatment just six days before she died.
‘We argue, we debate, we help each other … that’s a sister I never had. A best friend I ever had,’ he tearfully said.
He revealed that they had already made plans to celebrate her 50th birthday in Aruba
She had worked with the five-division world champion for much of his 25-year boxing career
A statement posted to Laurico’s Instagram account by her siblings and parents last year revealed that she died on Friday, March 31.
It read: ‘On March 31, 2023, our brilliant star Kitchie abandoned the physical garment… the angels of Thy loving-kindness descended successively upon her and have ascended her to the spiritual world. We thank all of you who have reciprocated genuine love and positive energy with her
‘We are grateful for your patience and honoring our privacy. Homegoing/ celebration of life arrangements for Kitchie are currently in progress, and updated information will be shared accordingly.’
Mayweather’s daughter paid an emotional tribute to her father’s assistant on social media at the time.
It read: ‘This doesn’t feel real… my heart is so heavy. You were more than just my dad’s assistant you were family.
‘You were the definition of someone with a good heart, you always lifted people up and made them feel good about themselves.
‘There’s no one like you will truly be missed, love you forever.’