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. Competing from 1996 to 2017, he boasts an undefeated record and secured 15 major world championships across five weight classes. His accolades include Ring magazine titles in three weight classes and lineal championships in four. As an amateur, he earned a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics. Since retiring from professional boxing, he has participated in exhibition boxing matches.
1988: Controversial Olympic Decision
Reference to the 1988 Summer Olympics and Roy Jones Jr.'s controversial loss.
2002: Domestic Violence Charges
In 2002, Mayweather faced charges for domestic violence and misdemeanor battery, resulting in a suspended sentence, house arrest, and community service.
2004: Misdemeanor Battery Conviction
In 2004, Mayweather received a suspended jail sentence and was ordered to undergo counseling and pay a fine after being convicted of two counts of misdemeanor battery against two women.
July 2005: Domestic Battery Charges Dropped
In July 2005, domestic battery charges against Mayweather were dropped after Josie Harris testified that she had lied and that Mayweather had not battered her.
2005: Misdemeanor Battery Charge
In 2005, Mayweather pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor battery charge after hitting and kicking a bouncer, receiving a suspended jail sentence.
April 8, 2006: Mayweather Defeats Judah for IBF Welterweight Title
On April 8, 2006, Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeated Zab Judah via unanimous decision for the IBF welterweight title, in a fight marred by late-round controversy when Judah hit Mayweather with illegal blows and a brawl ensued.
April 17, 2006: IBF Orders Rematch, NSAC Actions
On April 17, 2006, the IBF ordered a rematch between Mayweather and Judah, however the NSAC suspended Roger Mayweather for one year and fined him $200,000 for his actions during the fight.
December 13, 2009: Pacquiao's Advisor Dismisses Drug Testing Request
On December 13, 2009, Michael Koncz, Pacquiao's advisor, dismissed Mayweather's request for Olympic-style drug testing as inconsequential.
December 22, 2009: Pacquiao Unwilling to Comply with Drug Testing
On December 22, 2009, Golden Boy Promotions revealed that Pacquiao was unwilling to comply with the Olympic-style drug testing requested by Team Mayweather.
September 9, 2010: Police Questioning for Domestic Battery Report
On September 9, 2010, police sought Mayweather 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, Mayweather was taken into custody and later released after posting bail following a domestic battery report filed by Josie Harris.
September 2010: Battery Upon Josie Harris
In September 2010, Mayweather committed battery upon Josie Harris which lead to his sentencing in December 2011.
2010: Domestic Violence Incident
In 2010, a domestic-violence incident occurred, resulting in Mayweather going to jail for two months and being the subject of a defamation lawsuit by Josie Harris in May 2015.
December 21, 2011: Sentenced to Jail for Battery
On December 21, 2011, Mayweather was sentenced to 90 days in county jail for battery upon Josie Harris in September 2010, also receiving community service and a domestic-violence program order.
June 1, 2012: Mayweather Reports to Jail
On June 1, 2012, Mayweather reported to the Clark County Detention Center to serve 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.
May 9, 2015: Mayweather changes mind on Pacquiao rematch
On May 9, 2015, Mayweather stated he changed his mind about a rematch with Pacquiao, calling him a "sore loser and a coward."
May 2015: Defamation Lawsuit by Josie Harris
In May 2015, Josie Harris sued Mayweather for $20 million for defamation, claiming Mayweather lied during an April interview about a 2010 domestic-violence incident.
May 7, 2016: Mayweather confirms McGregor fight rumors
On May 7, 2016, Mayweather confirmed that he started the rumors regarding a potential crossover fight with MMA star Conor McGregor.
May 2016: Rumors of crossover fight with Conor McGregor
Around May 2016, rumors began circulating about a potential crossover fight between Mayweather and MMA star Conor McGregor.
January 13, 2017: White continues stance against Mayweather-McGregor fight
On January 13, 2017, Dana White continued his stance against a Mayweather-McGregor boxing matchup, offering Mayweather $25 million to box McGregor in the UFC.
March 7, 2017: Mayweather urges McGregor to sign the contract
On March 7, 2017, Mayweather urged McGregor to sign the contract, hinting that a fight was really in the works.
March 16, 2017: White backpedals on stance against Mayweather fighting McGregor
On March 16, 2017, Dana White backpedaled on his stance against Mayweather fighting McGregor and said that he would not deprive McGregor of making a massive payday.
May 18, 2017: McGregor agrees to Mayweather's terms
On May 18, 2017, McGregor reportedly agreed to all of Mayweather's updated terms and signed the contract.
August 24, 2017: Mayweather and McGregor to face off for WBC Money Belt
On August 24, 2017, it was announced that Mayweather and McGregor would be facing off for the WBC Money Belt.
May 2018: Centra Tech Inc. Co-founders Indicted for Fraud
In May 2018, the co-founders of Centra Tech Inc., from whom Mayweather received a promotional payment, were indicted for fraud, leading to Mayweather's settlement with the SEC in November 2018.
November 2018: Settlement with SEC
In November 2018, Mayweather, along with DJ Khaled, settled with the SEC for $750,000 for failing to disclose payments from ICO issuers, including a payment from Centra Tech Inc.
May 6, 2021: Mayweather brawl with Jake Paul
On May 6, 2021, Mayweather and Logan Paul met for the first time at a press conference where Jake Paul instigated a brawl with Mayweather.
January 2022: EthereumMax Lawsuit
In January 2022, Mayweather was named as a defendant in a class-action lawsuit against EthereumMax, alleging 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 lawsuit on the basis that the claims were insufficiently supported given heightened pleading standards for fraud.
June 11, 2023: Mayweather vs. John Gotti III
On June 11, 2023, Mayweather faced John Gotti III in an exhibition boxing match. The bout was stopped by the referee in the sixth round, prompting a ring invasion and fights in the crowd.
