Boxing world champion Floyd Mayweather visited United Hatzalah’s headquarters in Jerusalem on Tuesday, where he was welcomed by United Hatzalah President and Founder Eli Beer and CEO Eli Pollak and given an overview of the life-saving activities carried out by the organization’s 7,000 volunteers by United Hatzalah VP of Operations Dovie Maisel. Mayweather also had the opportunity to meet volunteers and hear about the organization’s role in saving lives.

Floyd Mayweather making his way up Agron St in Jerusalem! pic.twitter.com/C9YQCRDV5t

— Sports Rabbi (@thesportsrabbi) March 12, 2024

During the visit, Mayweather blew out the candles on the birthday cake which was prepared by the organization’s volunteers to mark the 36th birthday of dedicated volunteer Dolev Yehud, who went to save lives on October 7 as an EMT with United Hatzalah and was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists. Yehud is still captive in Gaza, more than 157 days later.

“I know what it means to be a father, I’m a huge fan of my dear father and I pray every day for peace to come and for the return of Dolev to his dear children,” Mayweather said.

While other athletes around the world were (and have continued to remain) silent after Hamas’s brutal attack on Israel on October 7, Mayweather not only was public in his support of Israel, but he also sent supplies to the IDF on his private jet.

This of course isn’t Mayweather’s first visit to Israel, as he was spotted catching hoops at Yad Eliyahu when Maccabi defeated Hapoel 95-90 in the Tel Aviv Derby in November, 2022.

“United Hatzalah’s activity is astonishing and I hope that the entire world adopts the model of providing medical treatment within 90 seconds,” Mayweather said at the end of his visit. “United Hatzalah volunteers are world champions of lifesaving.”

“It was an honor for us to host the incredible Floyd Mayweather, a true friend of United Hatzalah and of the people of Israel, who came to Israel especially in order to express solidarity and support,” Beer said of the boxer’s visit. “He took the time to come and see the amazing work of our thousands of volunteers in times of routine and during these challenging times. It’s a big honor for us, and we are thankful for his generous support.

This morning, we were honored to host boxing champ @FloydMayweather, who came to support our volunteers' lifesaving work. pic.twitter.com/z63aHkGtVn

— United Hatzalah (@UnitedHatzalah) March 12, 2024

“I was pleased to give Floyd our ‘Lifesaving Award,’ which was handed to him using a drone, a demonstration of what our drone unit can do in times of emergency to send medical equipment from the air in areas that are hard to access. I thank Floyd for his support for United Hatzalah and for the people of Israel.”

More details of Mayweather’s visit can be found on the United Hatzalah site, where donations can also be made to the organization.