He’s one of the wealthiest fighters alive, winning over $1.2 billion throughout his successful boxing career. Now he’s facing a felony charge for allegedly writing a $200,000 bad check to purchase a luxury watch.
For years, Floyd “Money” Mayweather has built one of the most recognizable brands in sports around wealth, luxury, and financial success. The undefeated boxing champion has become almost as famous for his extravagant lifestyle as he is for his accomplishments inside the ring. From driving exotic cars and flying on private jets to showing off stacks of cash on social media, Mayweather has crafted an image of a man whose nickname, “Money,” reflects both his success and his fortune. That image is now facing scrutiny after Nevada prosecutors accused the boxing legend of using a bad check to purchase a luxury watch worth approximately $200,000.
According to court documents filed in Clark County, Nevada, Mayweather is facing two felony charges stemming from a transaction that allegedly occurred on December 31, 2024. Prosecutors claim the former world champion purchased a luxury Audemars Piguet watch from Gold & Beyond, a high-end luxury resale boutique in Las Vegas, by writing a $200,000 check drawn from a Wells Fargo account. Authorities allege that when the check was presented for payment, the account did not contain sufficient funds to cover the purchase. Prosecutors further claim that Mayweather knew the check would not be honored when it was written. Mayweather has not been convicted of these allegations, and his attorney had not publicly commented on the charges at the time they were reported.
As a result of the allegations, Mayweather has been charged with felony theft involving property valued at more than $100,000 and passing a check with intent to defraud. Under Nevada law, the theft charge carries a potential prison sentence ranging from one to twenty years if convicted. While lengthy prison terms are uncommon for this type of offense, the seriousness of the charges reflects the high dollar amount of the alleged transaction.
The criminal complaint was filed after Gold & Beyond reportedly spent more than a year attempting to resolve the matter privately. According to the store’s attorney, the business initially chose not to pursue criminal charges because employees believed Mayweather would eventually make good on the payment. The attorney stated that repeated efforts to contact Mayweather allegedly went unanswered, and after months without receiving payment, the business sought assistance from Nevada authorities. Prosecutors ultimately reviewed the evidence before filing the felony charges.
The allegations have surprised many boxing fans because Mayweather has long portrayed himself as one of the wealthiest athletes in history. Throughout his professional boxing career, he earned hundreds of millions of dollars from blockbuster fights against opponents such as Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Álvarez, and Conor McGregor. Financial publications have estimated that his career earnings exceed one billion dollars when pay-per-view revenue, endorsements, and exhibition bouts are included. His social media accounts have frequently featured videos of luxury shopping trips, expensive jewelry, designer clothing, and large amounts of cash, reinforcing his image as one of sports’ biggest spenders.
However, the latest criminal case comes during a period when Mayweather has faced increasing financial and legal scrutiny. Earlier this year, the Internal Revenue Service filed a federal tax lien seeking approximately $7.3 million in unpaid taxes. Although a tax lien does not necessarily indicate that someone lacks financial resources, it creates an avoidable legal matter. This is not Mayweather’s first run-in with the IRS. In 2015, he was in another dispute over a $22.2 million tax lien. He has been involved in several civil lawsuits and financial disputes, including litigation with former business associates and disputes over luxury purchases.
Despite the felony charges, Mayweather remains active in the boxing world. The 50-0 champion has continued participating in lucrative exhibition matches around the globe and has announced plans for additional appearances. As of now, the criminal case has not prevented him from scheduling future events, although the ongoing legal proceedings could become a distraction as he prepares for upcoming exhibitions.
Legal experts note that criminal charges are simply allegations until proven in court. Prosecutors will have the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that Mayweather knowingly wrote the check while understanding it would not be honored. His defense team will have the opportunity to challenge the evidence, present its own explanation of the transaction, and argue against the charges before a judge or jury.
For a public figure whose reputation has long been tied to extraordinary wealth, the allegations have generated widespread attention across sports and entertainment media. Fans have questioned how a man known for displaying millions of dollars in cash could allegedly write a bad check for a luxury purchase. Others emphasize that everyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.