Floyd Mayweather Defends Pal Justin Bieber Over N-Word Joke Scandal + Justin Bieber Apologizes For Racist Comment.

The 37-year-old boxing legend said: "We all make mistakes when we are young, it's part of growing up."
Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr has defended Justin Bieber, saying he still supports the pop brat despite his N-word shame. The 37-year-old ring legend spoke out after Bieber came under fire following the leak of a video which showed the Baby singer telling a racist joke five years ago as a 15-year-old. Mayweather, who has been friends with the Canadian singer, 20, for many years, posted a photo of the pair on his Instagram account, accompanied by the message:

"Justin has been nothing but kind to me, my daughters and sons over the years. 
"We all make mistakes when we are young, it's part of growing up. 
"I am proud of what he’s doing as a 20 year old musician and business man." 

 The video, obtained by The Sun, shows Bieber grinning as he asks pals:
 "Why are black people afraid of chainsaws? He can then be heard delivering the punchline, grinning: "Run, n****r, n****r, n****r, n****r, n****r." 

Read Justin's apologies after the cut...

 Bieber has since apologised for his behaviour. He told US gossip website:

"As a young man, I didn't understand the power of certain words and how they can hurt. "I thought it was OK to repeat hurtful words and jokes, but didn't realize at the time that it wasn't funny and that in fact my actions were continuing the ignorance. "Thanks to friends and family I learned from my mistakes and grew up and apologized for those wrongs. "Now that these mistakes from the past have become public I need to apologize again to all those I have offended."

He continued:
"I'm very sorry. "I take my friendships with people of all cultures very seriously and I apologize for offending or hurting anyone with my childish and inexcusable mistake. "I was a kid then and I am a man now who knows my responsibility to the world and to not make that mistake again." 
"Ignorance has no place in our society and I hope the sharing of my faults can prevent others from making the same mistake in the future. 
 "I thought long and hard about what I wanted to say but telling the truth is always what's right." He concluded: "Five years ago I made a reckless and immature mistake and I'm grateful to those close to me who helped me learn those lessons as a young man. "Once again....I'm sorry."