What Boxers Have To Say About Floyd Mayweather’s Arrest: Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, and More Speak Out!

The boxing world is buzzing after news broke early this morning of Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s arrest on charges of assault following a late-night altercation at a Las Vegas nightclub at 1:30 AM local time. The undefeated boxing legend, who retired with a 50-0 record in 2017, was reportedly involved in a physical dispute with an unidentified individual, leading to his detention by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police. As the story unfolds, prominent boxers, including Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, and others, have shared their reactions, offering a mix of shock, criticism, and reflection on Mayweather’s latest controversy.

Mike Tyson: “He’s a Small, Scared Man”

Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight champion known for his own tumultuous past, didn’t hold back when asked about Mayweather’s arrest during an interview on his podcast Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson at 10 AM today. Tyson, who has had a rocky relationship with Mayweather for years, revisited his 2020 comments where he called Mayweather “a very small, scared man” after the boxer claimed to be greater than Muhammad Ali. “I told y’all years ago—he’s delusional,” Tyson, now 58, said. “Floyd’s got all the money in the world, but he’s still out here acting like a kid who can’t control himself. This arrest? It’s sad, but I’m not surprised. He’s always been more about the spotlight than the substance.”

Tyson, who himself served three years in prison for a 1992 rape conviction before returning to the ring, pointed out the irony of Mayweather’s behavior. “I’ve been down that road—jail, fights, all of it. But I learned. Floyd’s 48 years old, and he’s still getting into this nonsense? He needs to grow up. He’s got kids looking up to him.”

Lennox Lewis: “A Champion Should Be a Role Model”

Lennox Lewis, the last undisputed heavyweight champion before Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, offered a more measured but pointed response during a Sky Sports interview at 11 AM today. Lewis, who famously knocked out Tyson in 2002, has always emphasized the importance of being a role model in the sport. “Floyd’s a phenomenal fighter—one of the best ever, no question,” Lewis, 59, said. “But a champion’s job doesn’t end in the ring. You’ve got to carry yourself with dignity. This arrest, especially after his 2012 domestic violence sentence, is disappointing. He’s got to do better for the sport and the kids who idolize him.”

Lewis also reflected on Mayweather’s history, noting that the 2012 incident—where Mayweather served two months of a 90-day sentence for domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend Josie Harris—should have been a turning point. “He’s had chances to change, but here we are again. I hope he gets the help he needs,” Lewis added.

Manny Pacquiao: “I’ll Pray for Him”

Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather’s long-time rival who faced him in the 2015 “Fight of the Century,” shared a message of compassion when reached for comment by ESPN at 9 AM today. Pacquiao, now 46 and a senator in the Philippines, has often spoken about his faith and forgiveness despite his competitive history with Mayweather. “I was sad to hear about Floyd’s arrest,” Pacquiao said. “We had our battles in the ring, but I don’t wish bad things for him. He’s a father, a brother, a son. I’ll pray for him to find peace and make better choices.”

Pacquiao, who lost to Mayweather by unanimous decision in their 2015 bout that drew a record 4.6 million pay-per-view buys, also urged fans not to judge Mayweather too harshly. “We all make mistakes. What matters is how we rise from them,” he added.

Oscar De La Hoya: “It’s a Pattern”

Oscar De La Hoya, who fought Mayweather in 2007 in a record-breaking pay-per-view event that generated 2.4 million buys, was less forgiving in his comments to TMZ at 8 AM today. De La Hoya, now 52 and a prominent promoter with Golden Boy Promotions, pointed to a recurring pattern in Mayweather’s behavior. “This isn’t new for Floyd,” De La Hoya said. “He’s got a history—2012, the domestic violence case, and now this assault charge. It’s a pattern. He thinks he’s untouchable because of his money and fame, but the law doesn’t care about that. He needs to face real consequences this time.”

De La Hoya, whose net worth of $200 million places him among the richest boxers ever, also criticized Mayweather’s influence on the sport. “He’s a legend in the ring, but outside of it? He’s letting down the next generation. Boxing deserves better.”

The Incident and What’s Next

According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Mayweather was arrested at 1:30 AM on April 30, 2025, after an altercation at a nightclub on the Las Vegas Strip. Witnesses reported that Mayweather became agitated during a verbal dispute with another patron, which escalated into a physical confrontation. The unidentified individual sustained minor injuries, and Mayweather was detained on suspicion of assault. He was released on bail at 6 AM today, and no formal charges have been filed as of 2:52 PM +07. Mayweather’s legal team has not yet issued a statement, but sources close to the boxer say he claims the incident was “blown out of proportion.”

Mayweather’s arrest adds to a history of legal troubles, including his 2012 domestic violence conviction, where he served two months in jail for attacking Josie Harris, the mother of three of his children. That incident drew widespread criticism at the time, though Mayweather continued his career, going on to defeat Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez, and Conor McGregor before retiring in 2017 with a 50-0 record.

A Polarizing Figure in Boxing

Mayweather’s arrest has reignited debates about his legacy as one of boxing’s greatest but most polarizing figures. With a net worth of $400 million, making him the richest boxer in history, Mayweather has long been a lightning rod for controversy. His defensive mastery in the ring—where he won 15 major world titles across five weight classes—earned him accolades like the Boxing Writers Association of America’s Fighter of the Decade for the 2010s. But his behavior outside the ring, from legal issues to public feuds with fighters like Tyson, has often overshadowed his achievements.

As the boxing community awaits further details on the legal proceedings, the reactions from Tyson, Lewis, Pacquiao, and De La Hoya reflect the complex legacy of a man who remains as divisive today as he was at the height of his career. Whether this latest incident will prompt Mayweather to change—or further cement his reputation as a troubled icon—remains to be seen.