Floyd Mayweather Jr., the undefeated boxing legend known as “Money,” is no stranger to the spotlight, but recent months have seen him entangled in a series of legal and financial controversies that threaten to tarnish his legacy. As of April 2025, Mayweather faces multiple lawsuits ranging from assault allegations to unpaid debts, while rumors of financial distress have sparked heated debates online. The 48-year-old, who boasts a net worth estimated at $400 million, has been accused of everything from orchestrating a violent assault to failing to pay for high-end jewelry, with critics like Amir Khan suggesting that karma may be catching up with the former champion.
The most recent legal trouble stems from a lawsuit filed in July 2024 by William Rodriguez-Mercado in Nevada, alleging that Mayweather ordered a brutal assault on him in May 2023. According to court documents, Rodriguez-Mercado was filming Mayweather jogging in Las Vegas when the boxer, enraged, allegedly instructed his entourage to seize the phone and attack him. The plaintiff is seeking damages for injuries sustained, while Mayweather’s attorney denies the claims, arguing that the accuser exaggerated his injuries for a larger settlement. In March 2025, Mayweather moved to have the case dismissed and requested that Rodriguez-Mercado cover his legal fees, signaling his intent to fight the allegations aggressively.
Another high-profile case involves a class-action lawsuit filed in September 2024 by exotic dancers at Mayweather’s Girl Collection strip club in Las Vegas. The plaintiffs, represented by attorney Matthew Thomson, allege that Mayweather failed to pay proper wages and slapped one dancer when she raised concerns about her earnings. The lawsuit, originally filed in federal court in 2023 and refiled in Clark County, claims Mayweather threatened and intimidated dancers, with 13 individuals joining the suit. Mayweather has disputed ownership of the club, but text messages labeling him as “Champ” suggest his active role in its operations. These allegations add to Mayweather’s history of legal issues involving violence, stretching back to incidents in 2001.
Financial disputes have also dogged Mayweather. In August 2024, Miami jeweler Leonard Sulaymanov sued Mayweather and his associate Jona Rechnitz, accusing them of failing to pay $4.15 million for jewelry purchased in 2021. The lawsuit, which also names rapper Tyga, alleges violations of the RICO Act, fraud, and breach of contract. Sulaymanov claims he received only partial payments before Mayweather and his team ceased communication. This case follows reports of Mayweather’s extravagant spending, including a $402 million purchase of 62 apartment buildings in New York’s Morningside Portfolio, which some analysts have questioned for its lack of transparency.
Rumors of financial ruin gained traction in April 2025 when Amir Khan claimed Mayweather was facing bankruptcy, unable to sustain his lavish lifestyle in Dubai. Khan’s comments, which he later tied to Mayweather’s support for Israel, were dismissed as baseless by boxing insiders, with no court records or official documents supporting the bankruptcy claim. Mayweather countered by showcasing his wealth, including a new venture into online casino gaming with a slot game named after him and negotiations to buy a 10% stake in the NFL’s New York Giants for $700 million.
Public reaction has been polarized. On X, fans and detractors alike have fueled debates, with some praising Mayweather’s business acumen and others accusing him of dodging accountability. The boxer’s history of legal battles, including a 2014 car accident lawsuit and a 2022 assault claim seeking $3 million, has kept him in the headlines, often overshadowing his philanthropy, like gifting his grandson a $20 million building in New York’s Diamond District.
As Mayweather navigates these challenges, his ability to maintain his “Money” persona is under scrutiny. The lawsuits and financial rumors paint a picture of a man whose empire is under siege, yet his defiance in the face of adversity mirrors the resilience that made him a champion. Whether he emerges unscathed or faces lasting consequences, Mayweather’s saga continues to captivate, proving that his life outside the ring is as contentious as his battles within it.
