Here's an off-the-grid thought: Max Schmeling (Sinatra also kicked in) paid for Joe Louis's funeral (and served as a pallbearer coming all the way from Germany at age 76). Foreman begged off Frazier's funeral because it "would be too emotionally overwhelming" but reportedly offered to help with expenses, yet apparently Mayweather picked up the whole tab. One would think George (by then worth 1/3B) would have insisted and it's real hard to imagine Floyd disputing him about it. And, of course once Marvin and Joe Jr. (whom I spoke to via cell when Joe passed) knew George wanted to kick in, they surely would have made sure he did. I suppose another one of those anecdotes we can never know for certain (I still have Joe Jr's # but not going to bother him about this). Otherwise, I'm curious if anyone has any other such history on the send-offs of other destitute fighters. The boxing community really does tend to rally 'round their down and out brethren, and needless to say no lack of ATGs or just plain highly notables who didn't manage their money on the Warren Buffet model.
Sam Harris's treatment of Terry McGovern's widow is one of the most beautiful and undertold stories of the ring; he picked up the tab for McGovern's funeral because of course he did.
