For years, Floyd Mayweather has built his entire brand around one thing: Money! Stacks of money, suitcases of money, photos of money and videos of money.
If there was an Olympic event for showing off cash, Floyd would probably win gold, silver, and bronze, which is why the latest allegations against him have left social media scratching its head.
According to Nevada court records, Mayweather is facing two felony charges alleging theft and intent to defraud after allegedly using a bad check to purchase a $200K Audemars Piguet watch in December 2024. Yes, a bad check.
The man nicknamed “Money” is now being accused of having a check bounce harder than one of his opponents off the ropes.
ESPN reported on Tuesday that the Hall of Fame fighter’s charges are “theft, value $100,000 or greater” and “draw or pass check with intent to defraud, value $1,200 or greater.” If found guilty on the fraud charge, he could face one to four years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine plus restitution costs, while felony theft carries prison terms of one to 20 years and up to $15,000 in fines, according to Nevada state law.
Mayweather was not present on Monday for a court hearing regarding the matter and was represented by his counsel instead.
“The reason for the delay is that my guy trusted Mayweather and was trying to give him every opportunity to make good on that,” attorney Marc Cook, who represents Gold and Beyond, the Las Vegas-based jewelry boutique from which Mayweather got the watch, 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.”
The internet wasted no time turning the situation into meme material.
Mayweather is scheduled to face Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis in an exhibition Saturday in Athens, Greece, and Mike Tyson later this fall. He is also slated to end a nine-year retirement from professional boxing to meet Manny Pacquiao in a rematch on September 25 in Las Vegas.
“Money” earned an estimated $1.15 billion during his career but is returning to the ring amid reports indicating that he’s in financial trouble, all while he’s dealing with a litany of other legal issues.
For now, Floyd’s legal team will handle the courtroom battle while the internet handles the comedy.
And judging by the memes, both sides appear ready for a long fight.
