Floyd Mayweather's latest felony charges have placed the unbeaten boxing legend at the center of a criminal case in Las Vegas, where prosecutors allege he used a check with insufficient funds to purchase a luxury watch worth $200,000. The former five-division world champion faces felony theft and intent-to-defraud charges tied to a December 2024 transaction with luxury resale store Gold and Beyond.
The case gained new attention Monday when Mayweather's attorney appeared on his behalf in Las Vegas Justice Court. While the 50-0 boxing icon was not present, the hearing marked the latest development in a legal battle that could carry serious consequences if prosecutors prove their claims.
What are Floyd Mayweather's latest felony charges?
According to Clark County prosecutors, Mayweather was charged in April with felony theft and drawing or passing a check without sufficient funds with intent to defraud. Court records allege that he wrote a $200,000 Wells Fargo check to purchase an Audemars Piguet watch from Gold and Beyond in Las Vegas despite allegedly lacking the funds needed to cover the payment.
The criminal complaint states that Mayweather knowingly exchanged the check for property while understanding it would not be honored when presented for payment. If convicted, the theft charge carries a potential prison sentence ranging from one to 20 years, while the fraud-related charge could result in one to four years behind bars, in addition to financial penalties and restitution.
Marc Cook, an attorney representing the jewelry store, said his client spent months attempting to resolve the matter privately before turning to law enforcement. "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. "And 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." Mayweather's representatives have not publicly commented on the allegations.
Why do the charges add to Floyd Mayweather's growing legal troubles?
The Nevada case arrives amid a series of legal and financial disputes involving Mayweather. Court filings in multiple states allege he owes money in separate civil matters, while an Internal Revenue Service tax lien reportedly exceeds $7.2 million for unpaid taxes from previous years. At the same time, Mayweather has launched lawsuits of his own. Earlier this year, he sued Showtime for $340 million and pursued separate litigation against former business associates, alleging fraud and breaches of fiduciary duty.
Despite the ongoing criminal case, Mayweather is still expected to travel to Athens, Greece, for a June 27 exhibition bout against kickboxing veteran Mike Zambidis. Sources close to the former champion have indicated that he retains his passport and plans to proceed with the event. The September court hearing will provide the next major date in the case that could have significant implications for him.
