Major Controversies Surrounding Floyd Mayweather Jr.: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Floyd Mayweather Jr.—discover key moments of controversy.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a retired American professional boxer and current boxing promoter. He competed from 1996 to 2017, retiring undefeated with 15 major world championships across five weight classes. He also won the Ring magazine title in three weight classes. As an amateur, Mayweather earned a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics and multiple U.S. Golden Gloves and national championships. After retiring from professional boxing, he transitioned to exhibition bouts.

Sections (6)

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

1988: Roy Jones Jr.'s controversial loss

In 1988 Summer Olympics, Roy Jones Jr. had a highly controversial decision loss to Park Si-hun.

2002: Charged with domestic violence

In 2002, Floyd Mayweather was charged with two counts of domestic violence and one count of misdemeanor battery, resulting in a suspended sentence, house arrest, and community service.

2004: Suspended Sentence for Misdemeanor Battery

In 2004, Floyd Mayweather received a one-year suspended jail sentence and was ordered to undergo counseling and pay a fine for misdemeanor battery against two women.

July 2005: Domestic Battery Charges Dropped

In July 2005, domestic battery charges against Floyd Mayweather were dropped after Josie Harris testified that she had lied about the alleged incident.

2005: No Contest Plea to Battery Charge

In 2005, Floyd Mayweather pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor battery charge for hitting and kicking a bouncer, resulting in a 90-day suspended jail sentence.

April 8, 2006: Mayweather Defeats Judah for IBF Welterweight Title

On April 8, 2006, Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeated Zab Judah in a unanimous decision to win the IBF welterweight title. The fight was marred by a late-round foul by Judah and a subsequent melee involving their corners. Mayweather dominated after the fifth round, securing the victory despite the earlier controversy.

December 13, 2009: Pacquiao's Adviser Dismisses Drug Testing Request

On December 13, 2009, Michael Koncz, Manny Pacquiao's adviser, dismissed Floyd Mayweather's request for Olympic-style drug testing as inconsequential, stating that Pacquiao does not take any illegal drugs.

December 22, 2009: Pacquiao Unwilling to Comply with Drug Testing

On December 22, 2009, Golden Boy Promotions released a press release stating that Manny Pacquiao was unwilling to comply with the Olympic-style drug testing requested by Team Mayweather, leading to the fight being called off.

January 7, 2010: Mayweather and Pacquiao Enter Mediation

On January 7, 2010, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao entered mediation with retired federal judge Daniel Weinstein to resolve the dispute over drug testing.

September 9, 2010: Sought for Questioning in Domestic Battery Report

On September 9, 2010, Floyd Mayweather was 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

On September 10, 2010, Floyd Mayweather was taken into custody following a domestic battery report, but was released after posting bail.

September 2010: Charged with domestic battery

In September 2010, Floyd Mayweather was charged with domestic battery against Josie Harris, which led to a 90-day jail sentence in December 2011.

2010: Domestic Violence Incident

In 2010, a domestic violence incident occurred between Floyd Mayweather and Josie Harris, which resulted in Mayweather serving jail time and later being sued for defamation in May 2015.

December 21, 2011: Sentenced to Jail for Battery

On December 21, 2011, Floyd Mayweather was sentenced to 90 days in county jail for battery upon Josie Harris in September 2010 and also pleaded no contest to harassment charges.

June 1, 2012: Mayweather Reports to Jail

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

September 14, 2013: Mayweather vs. Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez Championship Bout

On September 14, 2013, Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeated Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez by majority decision at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the WBC and WBA Super welterweight titles. Mayweather received a record $41.5 million. The fight had a catchweight of 152 pounds. One judge controversially scored the fight a draw, while the other two favored Mayweather.

May 9, 2015: Mayweather Changes Mind on Pacquiao Rematch

On May 9, 2015, Mayweather stated he changed his mind about a potential rematch with Manny Pacquiao, calling him a "sore loser and he's a coward."

May 2015: Josie Harris Sues Mayweather for Defamation

In May 2015, Josie Harris sued Floyd Mayweather for $20 million for defamation based on statements he made in an April interview with Katie Couric regarding a 2010 domestic-violence incident.

September 12, 2015: Mayweather vs. Berto Fight

On September 12, 2015, Mayweather defended his WBC, WBA (Super), and The Ring welterweight titles against Andre Berto at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The announcement received backlash as many felt Berto wasn't a credible opponent.

May 2018: Centra Tech Co-founders Indicted

In May 2018, the co-founders of Centra Tech Inc., a cryptocurrency firm that paid Floyd Mayweather for promotional services, were indicted for fraud, leading to Mayweather's settlement with the SEC in November 2018.

November 2018: Settlement with SEC for ICO Touting

In November 2018, Floyd Mayweather, along with DJ Khaled, agreed to a $750,000 settlement with the SEC for failing to disclose payments received for promoting initial coin offerings, including a promotional payment from Centra Tech Inc.

May 6, 2021: Mayweather and Paul Press Conference Brawl

On May 6, 2021, Mayweather and Paul met at a press conference at Hard Rock Stadium, where Jake Paul became involved in an angry brawl with Mayweather.

January 2022: Named in EthereumMax Lawsuit

In January 2022, Floyd Mayweather was named as a defendant in a class-action lawsuit against EthereumMax, accused of promoting the cryptocurrency token on social media.

December 2022: EthereumMax Lawsuit Dismissed

In December 2022, the U.S. District Court dismissed the class-action lawsuit against Floyd Mayweather and others related to promoting EthereumMax, citing insufficient support for the claims.

June 11, 2023: Exhibition Match Against John Gotti III Stopped

On June 11, 2023, Floyd Mayweather's exhibition boxing match against John Gotti III at the FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida, was stopped in the sixth round by the referee, leading to a ring invasion and subsequent fights.