The legal troubles surrounding Floyd Mayweather have taken a serious turn, with new felony charges tied to an alleged $200,000 luxury watch purchase. According to court records reported by ESPN, the former boxing champion is facing accusations related to writing a bad check in connection with the high-end transaction.
This development adds another layer to an already complex series of financial disputes involving Mayweather, raising fresh questions about the state of his finances despite his long-standing “Money” persona.
Allegations Behind the $200,000 Watch Deal
At the center of the case is a luxury Audemars Piguet watch reportedly purchased from a Las Vegas boutique, Gold & Beyond. Authorities allege that Mayweather issued a $200,000 check from a Wells Fargo account on December 31, 2024, to cover the purchase made days earlier.
However, the complaint claims that the account did not contain sufficient funds at the time the check was written. As a result, Mayweather now faces two felony charges, including theft involving property valued at over $100,000 and issuing a check with intent to defraud.
According to ESPN’s report, the complaint alleges he acted
“knowingly, feloniously, and without lawful authority,”
suggesting prosecutors view the case as more than a simple payment dispute.
The situation did not escalate immediately, as the store initially attempted to resolve the issue privately. Gold & Beyond’s attorney, Marc Cook, explained why legal action was delayed.
“The reason for the delay is that my guy trusted Mayweather and was trying to give him every opportunity to make good on that,”
Cook told ESPN.
Cook added that the store only moved forward after repeated attempts to recover payment failed.
“It got to the point where he wasn’t getting responses and wasn’t getting money for a watch that Mayweather had for well over a year.”
These statements highlight that the case evolved from a private financial disagreement into a criminal matter after prolonged inaction.
Mounting Financial Disputes Around Mayweather
This latest controversy does not exist in isolation. Over the past several months, Mayweather has been linked to a series of financial and legal challenges. Reports have pointed to issues ranging from unpaid rent tied to a luxury Manhattan apartment to a significant IRS lien and multiple lawsuits involving alleged missing funds.
Notably, Mayweather himself has filed major lawsuits, including a $340 million claim against Showtime, arguing that a portion of his fight earnings was mishandled. He has also pursued legal action over an additional $175 million in disputed assets and income streams.
While these claims remain unresolved, the accumulation of disputes has fueled speculation about liquidity concerns, even for one of the highest-paid athletes in sports history.
Potential Legal Consequences
Under Nevada law, the charges Mayweather faces carry serious penalties. The bad-check fraud charge could result in one to four years in prison, along with fines and restitution. The theft charge, involving property exceeding $100,000, carries a potential sentence ranging from one to 20 years.
Legal experts often note that maximum penalties are rarely imposed in full, particularly in cases involving financial restitution. However, the presence of felony charges alone marks a significant escalation in what might otherwise have been handled as a civil matter.
