Challenges Faced by Floyd Mayweather Jr.: Obstacles and Turning Points

Life is full of challenges, and Floyd Mayweather Jr. faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is an undefeated (50-0) American professional boxer and promoter who won 15 major world championships across five weight classes, from super featherweight to light middleweight, including three Ring magazine titles. As an amateur, he earned a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics. Retiring from professional boxing in 2017, Mayweather transitioned to exhibition boxing.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1993: Father's Imprisonment

In 1993, Mayweather's father was imprisoned after his conviction for illegal drug trafficking. This affected Floyd's early professional career.

2000: Fired Father as Manager and Trainer

In early 2000, Mayweather fired his father as his manager and replaced him with James Prince. A few months later, he also fired his father as his trainer, leading to a strained relationship.

May 26, 2001: Retained WBC Super-Featherweight Title

On May 26, 2001, in his hometown of Grand Rapids, Mayweather retained his WBC super-featherweight title by defeating Carlos Hernández in a 12-round unanimous decision. He suffered a knockdown and overcame injuries in both hands.

December 7, 2002: Rematch with José Luis Castillo

On December 7, 2002, Mayweather fought a rematch with José Luis Castillo. He mentioned having a torn rotator cuff before their first fight and having undergone surgery afterward.

2002: Mayweather Charged with Domestic Violence

In 2002, Mayweather was charged with two counts of domestic violence and one count of misdemeanor battery. He received a six-month suspended sentence, two days of house arrest, and was ordered to perform 48 hours of community service.

2004: Mayweather Receives Suspended Jail Sentence for Battery

In 2004, Mayweather was given a one-year suspended jail sentence, ordered to undergo counseling for "impulse control," and pay a $1,000 fine (or perform 100 hours of community service) after being convicted of two counts of misdemeanor battery against two women.

July 2005: Domestic Battery Charges Dropped After Harris' Testimony

In July 2005, previous domestic battery charges against Mayweather were dropped after Josie Harris testified that she had lied and that Mayweather had not battered her.

2005: Mayweather Pleads No Contest to Battery Charge

In 2005, Mayweather pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor battery charge after hitting and kicking a bouncer, receiving a 90-day suspended jail sentence.

January 7, 2006: Judah Loses Titles to Baldomir

On January 7, 2006, Zab Judah lost the WBA, WBC, and The Ring Welterweight titles to Carlos Baldomir, jeopardizing plans for a fight with Mayweather, however, Mayweather's and Judah's camps reworked the contract and decided that the fight would go on.

2008: Pacquiao's Shoulder Injury

In 2008, Manny Pacquiao sustained a shoulder injury. This injury was persistent. Pacquiao fought through a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder in his May 2, 2015 fight against Mayweather.

September 9, 2010: Mayweather Sought for Questioning in Domestic Battery Case

On September 9, 2010, it was reported that Mayweather was being sought by police for questioning after his former girlfriend, Josie Harris, filed a domestic battery report against him.

September 10, 2010: Mayweather Taken into Custody, Released on Bail

On September 10, 2010, Mayweather was taken into custody following a domestic battery report filed by Josie Harris, but was released after posting $3,000 bail.

September 2010: Josie Harris Accuses Mayweather of Battery

In September 2010, Mayweather committed battery upon Josie Harris. On December 21, 2011, a judge sentenced Mayweather to serve 90 days in county jail.

2010: Mayweather Domestic-Violence Incident

In 2010, Mayweather was involved in a domestic-violence incident. In May 2015, Josie Harris sued Mayweather for $20 million for defamation, claiming that Mayweather lied during an interview with Katie Couric in April.

December 21, 2011: Mayweather Sentenced to Jail for Battery

On December 21, 2011, a judge sentenced Mayweather to serve 90 days in county jail for battery upon Josie Harris in September 2010. Mayweather pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery in exchange for prosecutors dropping the felony battery charge.

June 1, 2012: Mayweather Begins Jail Term for Domestic Abuse

On June 1, 2012, Mayweather reported to the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas to begin serving his jail term for domestic abuse.

August 3, 2012: Mayweather Released from Prison

On August 3, 2012, Mayweather was released from prison after serving two months of his jail term for domestic abuse.

2012: Toughest Fight Acknowledgment

In a 2012 interview, Mayweather named his non-title lightweight fight against Emanuel Augustus (then known as Emanuel Burton) as the toughest of his career.

February 4, 2015: Mayweather Denied Visa to Australia

On February 4, 2015, Mayweather was denied a visa to Australia due to his criminal record and jail term, impacting his plans to do a tour in the country.

May 2015: Josie Harris Sues Mayweather for Defamation

In May 2015, following his bout against Pacquiao, Josie Harris sued Mayweather for $20 million for defamation, claiming that Mayweather lied during an interview with Katie Couric in April.

July 6, 2015: Mayweather Stripped of WBO Title

On July 6, 2015, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) stripped Mayweather of his welterweight championship because he was not permitted to hold titles in multiple weight classes and failed to pay a sanctioning fee.

May 2018: Centra Tech Co-Founders Indicted for Fraud

In May 2018, the co-founders of Centra Tech Inc. were indicted for fraud. In November 2018, Mayweather agreed to a total settlement of $750,000 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for failing to disclose payments accepted from Centra Tech Inc.

November 2018: Mayweather Settles with SEC for Failing to Disclose ICO Payments

In November 2018, Mayweather, along with DJ Khaled, agreed to a total settlement of $750,000 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for failing to disclose payments accepted from issuers of initial coin offerings, including a personal $100,000 promotional payment from cryptocurrency firm Centra Tech Inc.

January 2022: Mayweather Named in Class-Action Lawsuit Against EthereumMax

In January 2022, Mayweather was named as a defendant in a class-action lawsuit filed against the cryptocurrency company EthereumMax, alleging that the company is a pump and dump scheme.

December 2022: EthereumMax Lawsuit Dismissed

In December 2022, the Central California U.S. District Court Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald dismissed the class-action lawsuit filed against Mayweather and other celebrities for promoting the EthereumMax token, stating that the claims were insufficiently supported.