Greg La Rosa | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 9, 1980 |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Big G |
| Occupation | Bodyguard |
| Years active | 2015-present |
Greg La Rosa (born June 9, 1980), known professionally as Big G, is a professional bodyguard from Las Vegas.
He is best known for being the personal bodyguard to American professional boxing promoter and retired professional boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr..[1] [2] [3]
Career
editLa Rosa grew up in an Italian-born family and was originally raised in Scarborough, Toronto.[4] [5] Before he was born, his grandparents and parents migrated from Italy to Canada. He is the second of four siblings.
At 10, La Rosa began playing the tenor saxophone. He was asked on multiple occasions to audition for the National Youth Winds Band of Canada, the highest level youth band in Canada. La Rosa played several instruments including the soprano and baritone saxophone, french horn, and the bassoon.[6] [7]
He started skating at the age of two and began playing hockey at four years old. At 19, he joined Team Gear, a travel roller hockey team based in Canada and the United States. In 2000, he competed in his first professional tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada. His team went on to win multiple tournaments. [8][9][10]
He moved from Canada to the United States in 2010. Shortly after moving to America, he found himself on his own struggling to eat and temporarily homeless. In a recent interview with Hype Magazine, La Rosa spoke on the challenges of being an immigrant while chasing the American dream and how during this transition period he had to temporarily sleep in his car for shelter. In 2015, he became a professional bodyguard to Floyd Mayweather Jr..[11][12] He is also known for being outspoken to the media about MMA fighter Conor McGregor.[13] In July 2021, La Rosa interviewed with Sportskeeda and Heavy.com about his confrontation with the former MMA champion and McGregor’s fighting abilities.[14] In October 2017, he gained national attention along with fellow bodyguard Ray Sadeghi by eluding to a possible Floyd Mayweather Jr. & Conor McGregor rematch. Early in 2018, La Rosa and his Ray Sadeghi, who call themselves the Brixx Brothers, developed a Cannabidiol oil to help cancer patients.[15]
On April 9, 2018, La Rosa gained national attention when he was shot in a drive-by shooting while working on duty for Floyd Mayweather Jr.[16][17][18] In an exclusive interview with The Sun, La Rosa said he didn't realize that shots were being fired initially. After a few seconds, however, he dropped down in his seat and clamored for cover. He later stated if he had to do it all over again, he would.[19]
Drive-by Shooting
editOn April 9, 2018, La Rosa was a passenger in one of Mayweather's vehicles targeted during a drive-by shooting in Atlanta, Georgia.[20][21] Three SUVs carrying members of Mayweather’s party were returning from a club appearance to the InterContinental Hotel at 3 a.m. when they were hit with gunfire. Twelve shots were fired at La Rosa’s vehicle.[22] A bullet struck his lower leg and he was taken to the hospital. Mayweather was in a different vehicle at the time of the shooting.[23][24]
In August 2021, La Rosa regained national attention after further opening up about the shooting and looking back on his relationship with Floyd Mayweather since the shooting. In an exclusive interview with Heavy.com La Rosa said the incident didn’t change his relationship with Mayweather Jr.[25]
Personal Life
editLa Rosa currently resides on his ranch in Las Vegas, Nevada, and runs a successful real estate business.[26]
- ^ McCaugherty, Stephen (12 August 2021). "EXCLUSIVE: Greg La Rosa on Life as Floyd Mayweather's Bodyguard". Heavy.com.
- ^ Kenton, Luke (28 July 2021). "Floyd Mayweather was 'TARGETED' in shooting that injured his bodyguard". The Sun.
- ^ Dolby, Jerry. "Greg La Rosa on Being One of Floyd Mayweather's Top Bodyguards, His Real Estate Ventures and More". The Hype Magazine.
- ^ Dolby, Jerry. "Greg La Rosa on Being One of Floyd Mayweather's Top Bodyguards, His Real Estate Ventures and More". The Hype Magazine.
- ^ Stories, Local. "Daily Inspiration: Meet Greg La Rosa - Voyage LA Magazine | LA City Guide". voyagela.com.
- ^ Dolby, Jerry. "Greg La Rosa on Being One of Floyd Mayweather's Top Bodyguards, His Real Estate Ventures and More". The Hype Magazine.
- ^ Taylor, Brionna (1 June 2018). "EXCLUSIVE: The Brixx Brothers - Floyd Mayweather bodyguards not your average 'Juicehead Turkeys'". World Boxing News.
- ^ Taylor, Brionna (1 June 2018). "EXCLUSIVE: The Brixx Brothers - Floyd Mayweather bodyguards not your average 'Juicehead Turkeys'". World Boxing News.
- ^ Dolby, Jerry. "Greg La Rosa on Being One of Floyd Mayweather's Top Bodyguards, His Real Estate Ventures and More". The Hype Magazine.
- ^ Stories, Local. "Daily Inspiration: Meet Greg La Rosa - Voyage LA Magazine | LA City Guide". voyagela.com.
- ^ Dolby, Jerry. "Greg La Rosa on Being One of Floyd Mayweather's Top Bodyguards, His Real Estate Ventures and More". The Hype Magazine.
- ^ Stories, Local. "Daily Inspiration: Meet Greg La Rosa - Voyage LA Magazine | LA City Guide". voyagela.com.
- ^ Milano, Valerie Maddox. "Greg La Rosa: Floyd Mayweather's Bodyguard Creates a Life of Balance on His Ranch - The Hollywood Times".
- ^ Bandayrel, Rafael. ""If I had to do it all over again, I would" - Floyd Mayweather's bodyguard 'Juicehead Turkey' Greg La Rosa recalls the time he took a bullet for the boxing legend". www.sportskeeda.com.
- ^ Taylor, Brionna (1 June 2018). "EXCLUSIVE: The Brixx Brothers - Floyd Mayweather bodyguards not your average 'Juicehead Turkeys'". World Boxing News.
- ^ Gardner, Steve. "Floyd Mayweather bodyguard shot in drive-by outside Atlanta hotel". USA TODAY.
- ^ Zilio, Bernie. "Inside The Life Of Floyd Mayweather's Top Bodyguard: Getting Shot, Being On Call & Watching The Millionaire Boxer Blow Through Cash". RadarOnline.
- ^ Gesualdi-Gilmore, Laura (28 July 2021). "Floyd Mayweather was 'TARGETED' in shooting that injured his bodyguard". The US Sun.
- ^ Keaton, Luke (28 July 2021). "Floyd Mayweather was 'TARGETED' in shooting that injured his bodyguard". The US Sun.
- ^ McLaughlin, By Eliott C. (9 April 2018). "Floyd Mayweather's bodyguard shot outside ritzy Atlanta hotel, police say". CNN.
- ^ Conway, Tyler. "Floyd Mayweather Jr. Present at Shooting That Injured Boxer's Bodyguard". Bleacher Report.
- ^ Lauletta, Tyler. "Floyd Mayweather's bodyguard reportedly shot outside hotel in Atlanta". Business Insider.
- ^ Keaton, Luke (28 July 2021). "Floyd Mayweather was 'TARGETED' in shooting that injured his bodyguard". The US Sun.
- ^ Zilio, Bernie. "Inside The Life Of Floyd Mayweather's Top Bodyguard: Getting Shot, Being On Call & Watching The Millionaire Boxer Blow Through Cash". RadarOnline.
- ^ McCaugherty, Stephen (12 August 2021). "EXCLUSIVE: Greg La Rosa on Life as Floyd Mayweather's Bodyguard". Heavy.com.
- ^ Taylor, Brionna. "Greg La Rosa: Floyd Mayweather's Bodyguard Creates a Life of Balance on His Ranch - The Hollywood Times".