Floyd Mayweather is facing two felony charges in Las Vegas after Nevada prosecutors alleged the undefeated boxing champion passed a bad check to purchase a luxury watch worth $200,000. Court records show the former five-division world champion is accused of theft and drawing or passing a check with intent to defraud, while his attorney appeared on his behalf during a Clark County court hearing this week.
Floyd Mayweather’s Felony Charges Stem From Alleged $200,000 Watch Purchase
According to Clark County court records, prosecutors allege that Mayweather wrote a $200,000 check from a Wells Fargo account to luxury resale boutique Gold and Beyond on Dec. 31, 2024. The payment allegedly covered an Audemars Piguet watch that had been purchased several days earlier.
Authorities claim the account lacked sufficient funds or credit to honor the check when it was presented. As a result, prosecutors charged Mayweather with felony theft involving property valued at $100,000 or more and drawing or passing a check with intent to defraud involving more than $1,200. The theft charge alleged the boxing champion knew “the check would not be paid when presented,” but wrote it “in exchange for obtaining property or services.”
Mayweather did not personally attend Monday’s hearing in Clark County. Instead, his attorney represented him in court. The appearance satisfied an earlier court order directing the former champion to respond to the criminal complaint.
If convicted, the theft charge carries a possible prison sentence of 1 to 20 years under Nevada law. The fraud-related charge carries a potential sentence of one to four years. Both counts could also result in financial penalties and restitution.
Prosecutors Detail Timeline Behind The Criminal Complaint
Court records show Clark County prosecutors filed the criminal complaint on April 27 before issuing an order requiring Mayweather to appear before a judge several days later.
Marc Cook, an attorney representing Gold and Beyond, said his client initially tried to resolve the matter privately before turning to prosecutors. Speaking with ESPN, he revealed that his client delayed filing the complaint because he “trusted Mayweather and [tried] to give him every opportunity to make good on that.”
According to Cook, the retailer waited more than a year for payment while attempting to communicate with Mayweather. Cook said the complaint was eventually submitted to the Clark County District Attorney’s Office after repeated efforts to recover payment proved unsuccessful.
Mayweather’s attorney, Adrian Lobo, also shared a statement with the outlet, revealing that her “client had absolutely no intent to defraud,” Gold and Beyond. Lobo noted that the issue did not “belong in a criminal court,” adding that Mayweather was prepared to be “vindicated.”
Mayweather’s Plight Runs Deeper Than The Bad Check
The combat icon’s felony charges appear to be more of a pattern as they come amid other legal battles. Earlier in the year, Mayweather faced a lawsuit in New York after failing to pay rent at a Manhattan apartment. He also faced financial upheaval with multiple jewelers. Meanwhile, the 15-time world championship winner was embroiled in another lawsuit where he sued his former business manager for fraud-related issues.
All of these come as the 49-year-old gears up for his career comeback. Back in February, the 50-0 former world champion announced plans to resume boxing after years of exhibition appearances. The announcement marked another chapter in a career that has kept him in the public eye despite his official retirement from professional competition.
