Renowned boxer Floyd Mayweather is facing two serious criminal charges, which involve alleged theft and “intent to deceive” by using an unpaid check to purchase a watch valued at US$200,000 in Las Vegas. The information comes from official Nevada state court records. On Monday, Mayweather was not present at the Clark County Circuit Court session, instead being represented by his legal counsel. The formal accusations against the athlete include “theft, with a value of US$100,000 or more” and “issuance or delivery of a check for the purpose of fraud, the amount of which is US$1,200 or more”.
According to court documents released by ESPN, the Clark County District Attorney’s Office filed the initial criminal complaint on April 27. A few days later, a subpoena was issued for Mayweather to appear before a judge. His lawyer’s presence in court on Monday appeared to satisfy that demand.
The indictment details that Mayweather wrote and delivered a check in the amount of US$200,000, from an account at Wells Fargo Bank, to Gold and Beyond, a pre-owned luxury goods store located in Las Vegas. The incident would have occurred on December 31, 2024. The process indicates that the boxer made the payment “without having sufficient funds, assets or credit” in the account to cover the total value of the item.
ESPN also had access to a copy of the proof of purchase for the Audemars Piguet watch, which was purchased on December 25, 2024.
The theft accusation states that Mayweather provided the check “in exchange for products or services”, “aware that the amount would not be compensated upon presentation.” The complaint specifies that the athlete acted in a “deliberate, criminal and without legal protection” manner.
If convicted of the fraud offense, Mayweather risks serving a sentence of one to four years in prison, in addition to a monetary penalty of up to US$5,000 and the obligation to pay compensation, according to Nevada law. The crime of qualified theft provides for more severe sanctions, with imprisonment ranging from one to 20 years and fines that can reach US$15,000.
Marc Cook, a lawyer who works for Cook & Kelesis and represents the company Gold and Beyond, told ESPN on Tuesday that his client formalized the complaint with the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office in February.
“The reason for the delay in formalizing the complaint was the trust that my client placed in Mayweather, seeking to offer every chance for him to honor this commitment,” explained Cook. “However, the situation reached a point where there was no return or payment for the watch, which Mayweather has owned for over a year.”
Cook also mentioned that his client was initially reluctant to sue Mayweather, hoping for an amicable solution. The lawyer claimed that all attempts at conciliation were made, but the client “did not receive any response”.
When contacted for comment, both Mayweather’s legal representative and the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office did not immediately comment.
This case is the latest in a series of legal challenges faced by the boxer. His successful career outside the ring has been marked by a series of legal disputes and financial issues, revealing a pattern of complications that go beyond the sport, with a complex web of disputes involving both debts and accusations. In several civil lawsuits, filed in at least four different states, the plaintiffs accuse Mayweather of financial debts.
The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) maintains a tax foreclosure in excess of US$7.2 million against the boxer, relating to unpaid taxes in the years 2018 and 2023. Additionally, a luxury condominium in the Las Vegas area filed a garnishment request of more than US$22,500 against him.
The IRS declined to comment on the seizure that applies to Mayweather, justifying that the legislation prevents the discussion or disclosure of information of a tax nature.
Interestingly, Mayweather also appears as a plaintiff in separate lawsuits that he filed earlier this year. He seeks damages of $340 million from Showtime and $175 million from his former business partners. In both civil litigations, the charges include fraud and “encouraging and participating in a breach of fiduciary duty.”
While the legal problems pile up, Mayweather has a sporting commitment scheduled. An exhibition fight against kickboxer Mike Zambidis is scheduled for June 27, in the city of Athens, Greece.
A person close to Mayweather told ESPN on Tuesday that the boxer continues to have a valid passport and plans to travel to Greece later this week. At one point, there was a risk that the document would be canceled due to the debt owed to the Federal Revenue Service, according to the same source. However, Mayweather’s tax lawyers are negotiating with the federal agency, ensuring that he can go to the country for the fight and then return.