DMX vs George Zimmerman Cancelled, Boxing Avoids Rock Bottom
After considerable public outrage, the “celebrity” boxing match between once-relevant hip-hop artist DMX (arf arf arf!) and George Zimmerman was cancelled this weekend.
On Saturday, promoter Damon Feldman announced that beyond the angry outcry against the tasteless spectacle, he personally was receiving threats over the proposed bout– so much so that he has hired a bodyguard for protection.
Our hearts go out to this innocent boxing promoter who was just trying to help Zimmerman earn an…honest paycheck after the acquitted killer of Florida teen Trayvon Martin became too notorious to work at any job. Feldman’s tweets regarding the matter show a promoter who was rattled by the overwhelmingly negative response to his involvement with the infamous “Stand Your Ground”-killer:[[MORE]]
Its so controversial and confusing decisions have to be made I’m all over the place with this I’ll make it at Tuesday’s press conference
Two hours and two boring tweets later, Feldman apparently decided waiting until Tuesday wouldn’t be prudent:
Done with George Zimmerman if you had a major payday sitting in front of you , I know no one else would walk away like I did ***Next!!
At 6:03am the next morning, he tweeted:
I made the right decision I could of made big $$$ but I would rather be happy
After that, all of his tweets were repetitive announcements regarding the press conference at 2 p.m. on Tuesday regarding the details of the fight’s cancellation.
The three-round match between Zimmerman and DMX (arf arf arf!) had been scheduled for two different dates in March and was shamelessly announced on Trayvon Martin’s birthday last week. Martin, an unarmed African American teenager, was accosted and shot to death by Zimmerman in 2012.
DMX had repeatedly claimed that he was never involved in the matter. Here’s what his agent had to say:
“As previously stated, DMX never agreed to the fight and we thank you for all of the support from DMX’s fans.”
Aside from the public indignation over the possibility that Zimmerman could profit from his notoriety as a murderer, a quote Feldman gave Rolling Stone sheds more light on his sudden reversal of heart.
“Zimmerman was the wrong person to have in this,” said Feldman. “I looked into the eyes of my son and daughter today and couldn’t imagine someone killing them and getting off scot-free. It just really hurt. It was a tough decision because I could have made two million dollars here, but at least I have my dignity. I’m happy. Thank you.”
I’m not sure that there is any dignity to be found in this affront to both boxing and common decency, but ending this scandalous proposal was the right thing to do. The Sweet Science inspires more than enough excitement and drama, even without a bout between a rapper and one of the most hated men in America.