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 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

1988: Roy Jones Jr.'s controversial decision loss

The text makes reference to Roy Jones Jr.'s highly controversial decision loss to Park Si-hun at the 1988 Summer Olympics, drawing a parallel to Mayweather's own controversial decision.

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.

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

On April 8, 2006, Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeated Zab Judah by unanimous decision to win the IBF welterweight title. The fight was marred by a late-round brawl after Judah hit Mayweather with an illegal low blow and rabbit punch, leading to Roger Mayweather's ejection. The judges scored the fight 116–112, 117–111, and 119–109.

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.

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.

September 12, 2015: Mayweather to defend titles against Andre Berto

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 due to Berto's recent record, with many feeling he wasn't a credible opponent.

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.

May 6, 2021: Brawl Between Jake Paul and Mayweather

On May 6, 2021, at a press conference at Hard Rock Stadium, Jake Paul instigated a brawl with Mayweather by removing his hat, leading to an angry confrontation.

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.

June 11, 2023: Exhibition Match Against Gotti Stopped, Brawl Ensues

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