For years, Floyd Mayweather built his public image around wealth. The former five-division world champion famously adopted the nickname “Money” Mayweather, flaunting luxury cars, private jets, designer jewelry and stacks of cash throughout his legendary career.
But recent legal developments have raised fresh questions about the financial health of one of boxing’s most successful figures.
According to court records in Nevada, Mayweather is now facing two felony charges tied to the alleged purchase of a luxury watch in Las Vegas.
The accusations arrive amid a growing list of lawsuits, tax issues and financial disputes that have followed the retired boxer throughout 2026.
The latest case centers on an Audemars Piguet watch valued at approximately $200,000.
Prosecutors allege that Mayweather purchased the watch from Gold and Beyond, a luxury resale boutique in Las Vegas, and later provided a $200,000 check that could not be honored because of insufficient funds.
Court documents claim the check was written on Dec. 31, 2024, from a Wells Fargo account.
The charges filed against Mayweather include “theft, value $100,000 or greater” and “draw or pass check with intent to defraud, value $1,200 or greater.”
Prosecutors allege he obtained property while knowing the check would not be paid when presented. If convicted, the penalties could include substantial fines, restitution and prison time.
Attorney Marc Cook, who represents Gold and Beyond, told ESPN that his client initially avoided legal action because he trusted Mayweather and expected the issue to be resolved privately.
“The reason for the delay is that my guy trusted Mayweather and was trying to give him every opportunity to make good on that,” Cook said.
“And it got to the point where he wasn’t getting responses and wasn’t getting money for a watch that Mayweather had for well over a year.”
Mayweather’s attorney, Adrian Lobo, has pushed back against the allegations, arguing that her client never intended to defraud the store and that the matter should be handled through civil litigation rather than criminal court proceedings.
According to her statement: “This matter does not belong in the criminal courts. And Mr. Mayweather looks forward to being vindicated through the court proceedings.”
A court hearing took place this week, although Mayweather did not attend in person and was represented by legal counsel. His next scheduled court appearance is reportedly set for September.
Mounting legal and financial questions surround Mayweather
The watch case is only one part of a much larger story.
In recent months, Mayweather has been linked to multiple legal disputes involving alleged unpaid rent, jewelry-related lawsuits and a reported IRS tax lien exceeding $7 million.
Meanwhile, the former champion has also launched lawsuits of his own, including a $340 million action against Showtime over alleged financial misconduct and a separate $175 million lawsuit against a former associate whom he accuses of fraud.
Those competing legal battles have created a complicated picture. On one hand, Mayweather maintains that he was deprived of significant sums during his career and is aggressively pursuing those claims in court.
On the other, creditors and business partners have accused him of failing to meet financial obligations.
The timing has fueled speculation among boxing fans because Mayweather continues to participate in exhibition bouts despite retiring from professional boxing with a perfect 50-0 record in 2017.
He is currently scheduled to face kickboxing star Mike Zambidis in Athens later this month.
Whether those appearances are simply part of his post-retirement business model or evidence of a greater need for income remains unknown.
What is clear is that the latest felony charges represent one of the most serious legal challenges Mayweather has faced since leaving the professional ranks.
For now, the boxing legend remains innocent until proven guilty. But as court proceedings continue and financial questions persist, the man once celebrated as the richest boxer in history finds himself confronting a very different kind of fight.
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