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Real Reason Behind Floyd Mayweather’s Manny Pacquiao Rematc

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Floyd Mayweather

Joe Rogan Questions Real Reason Behind Floyd Mayweather’s Manny Pacquiao Rematch

Why would the richest boxer in the world spend his retirement putting his health on the line?

Floyd Mayweather, who supposedly made over a billion dollars over his decorated career, is not only scheduled to face Mike Tyson in an exhibition but has also agreed to a rematch with rival Manny Pacquiao, a decade after their first fight. This appears to have prompted UFC color commentator Joe Rogan to raise a valid point on his podcast while in a conversation with Terence Crawford.

“Now they’re gonna do it again, and they’re both 50, it’s crazy,” Rogan told the former undisputed champion. “Yeah, I’m gonna watch it, f— yeah I’m gonna watch it. I’m gonna watch him fighting Mike [Tyson], I think that’s crazy. Look at Floyd. Floyd spends money like it’s a tap, like he’s got a tap with an unlimited amount of money.

Manny Pacquiao Floyd Mayweather Jr

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“And even as much money as he’s made in his career, which he’s probably made as much, if not more than any boxer ever, there are all these lawsuits. He hasn’t been paying things, and he owes money on this and owes money on that, and it’s like, now he’s got to come out of retirement.”

Rogan’s speculation about Mayweather’s finances isn’t unfounded. The boxing great is currently entangled in multiple legal disputes that paint a picture of significant financial strain. Two Miami-based jewelers—AJ’s Jewelry and Leonard Sulaymanov—have reportedly filed a suit against him over alleged unpaid jewelry purchases. In addition, he is being sued by the owners of a luxury apartment he rented in Manhattan, who claim he allegedly owes back rent.

At the same time, Floyd Mayweather has launched a major lawsuit of his own. He filed a $340 million suit against his former broadcaster, Showtime, alleging that former executive Stephen Espinoza diverted money that was contractually due to him to his longtime business partner, Al Haymon. With several cases unfolding simultaneously, the financial and legal stakes are undeniably high.

Amid these legal battles, speculation has grown that Mayweather’s return to the ring is financially motivated. He famously defeated Manny Pacquiao in their widely criticized but commercially massive 2015 bout, reportedly earning between $250 million and $300 million from the fight. And a rematch is reportedly being targeted for September 19 at The Sphere in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Mayweather is also scheduled for an exhibition bout against Mike Tyson in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on April 25.

Nevertheless, Joe Rogan’s skepticism about the motives behind these high-profile bouts was echoed by his guest, Terence Crawford, who had his own controversial take on another major fight involving a boxing legend.

Terence Crawford feels the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson bout was ‘scripted’

On the same podcast, former champion Terence Crawford offered his own controversial take, claiming the recent Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight was scripted. Despite Tyson reportedly earning $20 million, Crawford didn’t budge from his stance on the fight.

“I don’t know, I think it was scripted,” Crawford told Rogan. “I ain’t never seen Tyson biting his gloves. It was taking all that he could to not hit him. It’s heartbreaking seeing an icon go out like that.

“He shouldn’t have been in there. At all. I think there’s other ways [to make money].”

Notably, Mike Tyson, who was 58 during the fight, gassed out after the first round and handed the bout to Jake Paul on a silver platter. ‘The Problem Child’ won the fight by unanimous decision.

Regardless, with lawsuits mounting and a reputation for lavish spending, Rogan’s theory that Floyd Mayweather’s return is a financial necessity rather than a competitive desire continues to gain traction among fans and pundits alike.

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Why Floyd Mayweather-Terence Crawford is Boxing’s biggest possi

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Floyd Mayweather Terence Crawford

Unexpected 2026 boxing twist No. 1: As Floyd Mayweather celebrates his 49th birthday on Tuesday, February 24 – he is an active professional boxer.

Unexpected 2026 boxing twist No. 2: Mayweather’s successor as the dominant pound-for-pound force in American boxing for the decade or so that Floyd had been retired, Terence Crawford, is currently retired from professional boxing while Mayweather is not.

Unexpected 2026 boxing twist No. 3: There is no bigger, more lucrative fight that can be made in all of boxing right now than Mayweather vs. Crawford. And, yes, that includes the fight newly announced for September 19 in Las Vegas that will also star Mayweather.

Why Terence Crawford has an argument for beating Floyd Mayweather in a mythical matchup - CBS Sports

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Forgive me for sounding like Panama Lewis as he sized up Luis Resto’s gloves, but: There’s a lot to unpack here.

(It’s been 43 years; I think it’s OK to make tasteless Panama Lewis jokes at this point.)

Let’s start with the unretirement of Mayweather – and the presumably related ongoing reports and rumors that it is no longer fitting to call him “Money.”

Many of those details can be found in a Business Insider article published this past December 28. If Business Insider’s reporting is accurate, Mayweather, the only boxer ever to have made more than $1 billion in gross fight earnings (estimates range from $1.1 billion to $1.5 billion), appears to be out of money.

Or worse.

The article offers numerous instances of debts owed and payments defaulted. And if anyone was left unconvinced by that article, we now have the circumstantial evidence presented by the headlines Mayweather has made in 2026: He sued Showtime and Stephen Espinoza for at least $340 million nearly a decade after he stopped working with them, and he has decided to fight 59-year-old Mike Tyson in an exhibition and then resume his pro boxing career after what will have been about nine years between sanctioned fights.

Whatever the exact extent of his financial troubles, Mayweather, who made more money than most of us could imagine spending in 10 lifetimes, now finds himself in pursuit of more cash and turning to the one line of work he’s always been able to rely on to generate it.

And while this is clearly a problem of his own making, I do find myself feeling a degree of empathy over his situation. He grinded his way from the bottom to the very top of the world and now must begin the grind all over again, whether his body is still up to the grind or not.

You don’t have to feel bad for him. But it’s hard not to feel sad for him.

Mayweather’s career featured its share of short-lived, unserious retirements, the first coming after he TKO’d Ricky Hatton in 2007 at age 30, but he was serious about it when he walked away after decisioning Andre Berto in 2015 at 38. Then the lure of the easiest of easy money pulled him out of retirement in 2017, when he was 40, to play around with Conor McGregor.

And that was it.

There were lots of exhibitions, where the 50-0 record was not on the line, where Mayweather could again enjoy the spotlight, where he could make some more of that easy money – whether he needed it or not.

Now, following the planned April freak show/creak show against Tyson, Mayweather apparently will be putting that 50-0 record at risk.

His first official fight back will be a rematch against Manny Pacquiao, who, like Mayweather, was retired long enough to get inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, but has since returned to the prize ring. Because in boxing, no one is ever really, truly, all-the-way retired.

Which brings us to Crawford, and the second unexpected twist referenced above.

“Bud” Crawford was born 10 years and seven months after Mayweather. He was a month shy of turning 30 and was newly the undisputed junior welterweight champion of the world when Floyd fought McGregor. He was in the conversation for best pound-for-pound boxer on the planet at the time and remained in that conversation – often the central figure in it – over the next eight years, as he claimed titles at 147, 154 and 168lbs and just kept winning and winning and getting bigger and bigger and better and better.

When he scored a unanimous decision over Saul “Canelo” Alvarez last September on Netflix to become a five-division champ and a more recognizable mainstream star than ever before, to secure his standing not just as one of the best of his era but as one of the greatest ever, somewhere in the same rarefied air as Mayweather, the 38-year-old Crawford looked around and saw no worlds left to conquer.

I believe his retirement announcement was sincere.

It remains anyone’s guess whether it will stick.

Occasionally, a fighter retires before he’s undergone significant decline and stays retired, but even then, there is usually a flirtation with the idea of returning. Wladimir Klitschko was speaking publicly about the possibility last year. Joe Calzaghe went in and out of considering a comeback. Andre Ward still brings it up from time to time.

The point is, Crawford may legitimately believe he’s retired, and he may in fact stay retired, but boxing history says the odds are against that, and boxing history at the very least says he isn’t done thinking about fighting and will listen to offers.

And that brings us to the third unexpected twist. Because if there is one singular fight that will force Crawford to at least pick up the phone, it’s an intergenerational clash with Mayweather.

Mayweather’s 2015 fight against Pacquiao sold a record 4.6 million U.S. pay-per-views. Mayweather-McGregor did about 4.3 million.

If promoted properly, Mayweather-Crawford could generate similar numbers – numbers that would be at least double what I believe any other fight in 2026 could produce.

Mayweather-Pacquiao II this September will be on Netflix, not pay-per-view. But if it were to be a pay-per-view, I expect it would struggle to hit one-quarter as many buys as it did in 2015. It’s purely a big-name nostalgia play, not a serious sporting event with anything of value on the line, other than Mayweather’s zero.

Maybe Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua will happen this year or next, but with six defeats now between them, the window for that to qualify as a global superfight has closed.

Canelo vs. Jake Paul? A major mainstream event, but not as major as it would have been had Paul not already lost to Joshua.

Mayweather vs. Paul, a “revenge” fight for Jake since his brother Logan faced Floyd in an exhibition in 2021? Another marketable curiosity that would have been a bigger deal if Joshua-Paul hadn’t already happened, and another fight that would attract customers on pay-per-view but probably not multiple millions of them.

Mayweather vs. Crawford exists on a different plane. It firmly plants one foot on each side of the line between real fight and circus sideshow. It appeals to the boxing hardcores, to the mainstream casuals and to the freak-fest fly-ins.

Could a 49-year-old Mayweather possibly compete against a 38- or 39-year-old Crawford? Logically and chronologically, the instinct is to say no. But until we’ve seen the man who calls himself “TBE” (The Best Ever) look washed up in the ring, there will be grounds to convince ourselves he’s not washed up.

What we’d have here is a 50-0 former pound-for-pound king against a 42-0 former pound-for-pound king, perhaps the two finest fighters of the 21st century squaring off for supremacy, putting those perfect records on the line.

If it’s framed as an exhibition, the needle might quiver moderately. If it’s positioned as an actual fight that counts on their BoxRec pages, Mayweather vs. Crawford makes the needle breakdance.

Sure, as an athletic contest, it would have been more telling and compelling when Crawford was 30 and Mayweather was 40. Mayweather’s age introduces eye-rolling to the proceedings, no doubt.

But his age also serves as a rallying cry for fellow middle-aged men and women. George Foreman insisted 40 was not a death sentence. Bernard Hopkins stunned viewers by remaining championship-caliber at 50. A 49-year-old Mayweather could be an avatar and an inspiration while he simultaneously contends with becoming a cautionary tale.

And think of all the people who helped make Mayweather rich by paying hard-earned money fight after fight in the hopes of seeing boxing’s egomaniacal supervillain surrender his perfect record. They won’t just accept that as a sunk cost and move on.

If Floyd is going to get in the ring with Crawford and potentially get stomped and slip to 50-1 – and therefore never again be able to concoct some sort of argument that he’s better than Sugar Ray Robinson because only one of them ever lost fights – what Mayweather hater alive would allow himself to miss that?

The businesspeople who could put forth a fight like this would make Crawford an offer he can’t refuse. Bud is retired today, but for this money and this opportunity, I am all but certain he would put himself through one more training camp.

It’s the Mayweather side of the equation I’m far less confident about. The zero on his record is an enormous part of his identity.

But a singular zero in his bank account – rather than the string of zeroes he got used to – can shift a man’s priorities.

I have no doubt that the overall game plan behind this return to actual, sanctioned bouts for Mayweather involves a very careful risk-reward calculation and a desire to make as much money as he can without putting himself at serious risk of defeat or injury.

The Pacquiao rematch fits that description. Pacquiao’s seemingly impressive draw against Mario Barrios last year got a lot less impressive when Ryan Garcia dominated Barrios this past Saturday night. Mayweather will be a solid favorite over Manny.

So maybe he can make something like $50 million or $75 million, improve to 51-0, get in, get out and learn to live a lot less large and make the money last.

But if he’s desperate enough, perhaps $250 million or so for one night’s work – in the same vicinity as what he made for the first Pacquiao fight and the McGregor fight – covers the emotional cost of seeing the number “1” on the right-hand side of his record.

I’m not saying I expect Mayweather vs. Crawford to happen.

I am saying it’s plausible in a way it never was before.

For the last eight-plus years, one of these men was an active professional boxer and the other was not, and the two of them squaring off wasn’t really a consideration. But now the performers have swapped roles. The older man is the active fighter, and the younger man is the retired fighter. The entire equation has changed.

And it’s suddenly the biggest, richest fight anyone can envision, and nothing else – not even May-Pac II – comes close.

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How Mayweather’s 2026 Return Revives Long-Running Money De

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Manny Pacquiao Floyd Mayweather

Official fight at 49 reopens debate about money and motive

Floyd Mayweather will face Manny Pacquiao again in 2026, this time in a sanctioned rematch. At 49, he is putting his 50-0 record back into competitive play.

When Mayweather defeated Pacquiao in 2015 and later boxed Conor McGregor in 2017, the purses were so large that retirement felt permanent. He had reached 50-0 and headlined the two richest events the sport had ever produced. Few fighters have exited on stronger financial ground. Yet he remained highly visible. The private jets, high-stakes gambling sessions, luxury purchases, and social media cash displays were not occasional glimpses; they were a constant backdrop to his post-career life.

Manny Pacquiao Floyd Mayweather Jr

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In the years after McGregor, Mayweather stayed active through exhibitions staged around the world. Those events offered spectacle and revenue while limiting competitive exposure. The undefeated record remained untouched, and the stakes were carefully managed.

This return carries different implications. At 49, he is preparing for a rematch with Pacquiao, now 47, rather than another exhibition. An official bout introduces formal scoring, regulatory oversight, and the possibility that the 50-0 mark could change. That choice naturally invites questions about motive.

Joe Rogan, the longtime UFC colour commentator and the host of one of the biggest combat-sports podcasts, touched on that tension during a recent episode. “Now they’re gonna do it again, and they’re both 50, it’s crazy,” Rogan said. “Yeah, I’m gonna watch it, f*** yeah I’m gonna watch him fighting Mike (Tyson), I think that’s crazy.” Rogan also questioned Mayweather’s spending habits, noting, “Floyd spends money like it’s a tap … and even as much money as he’s made in his career … it’s like, now he’s got to come out of retirement.”

The involvement of Netflix further alters the financial equation. A global streaming partner shifts the revenue model away from traditional pay-per-view and toward large-scale platform guarantees. That changes the calculus for a fighter whose career has consistently revolved around maximizing business leverage.

At this stage, the undefeated record is more than a statistic. It functions as commercial infrastructure. Exhibitions, speaking appearances, and promotional ventures continue to draw strength from the 50-0 mark. An official loss would not merely add a number to the right side of his record; it would alter the foundation of a brand built on permanence.

There is no verified evidence that Mayweather is in financial trouble. Still, nine years removed from his last major professional purse, he is again placing that pristine record into competitive jeopardy. The “Money” persona was built on the suggestion that he would never need to return. This comeback does not confirm the old fan theory. It does ensure that it will follow him into the ring.

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“He wanted that”: Manny Pacquiao refused one condition for Floyd

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Manny Pacquiao Floyd Mayweather

“He wanted that”: Manny Pacquiao refused one condition for Floyd Mayweather rematch

Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather are set for a professionally sanctioned rematch in September, eleven years on from their first meeting.

In 2015, Mayweather took a unanimous decision on the cards in what is still the highest grossing boxing bout of all time. The fight had marinated for around six years and was underwhelming to many fans. A rematch when both are close to 50 years old won’t right that wrong, but there’s little doubt that it will generate significant interest.

Whilst Pacquiao made a professional return last year – fighting to a draw with then WBC welterweight world champion Mario Barrios – Mayweather has only stepped through the ropes for exhibitions since 2017.

Manny Pacquiao refused one condition for Floyd Mayweather rematch: “He wanted that”

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‘PacMan’ told Sports Center that when his rival decided to return to the pro ranks, the return fight was immediately on the table.

“It just happens that I’m still active in boxing and he came out from retirement. So, he decided to do it again. This is it. I’m so excited for the fight.”

The Filipino fighting icon fought with a shoulder injury at the MGM Grand in 2015, and hopes this time around, despite being well past his prime, he will be fresh to deliver an exciting main event.

“I learnt a lot from that fight, way back in 2015. We’ve become mature now and [know] how to handle it. I hope that it will happen again like the way it was in 2015 – the experience – not really 100%, but [close.] I’m hoping this time around no excuses, especially to my condition.”

The fight has added intrigue given Mayweather will put his precious undefeated record on the line, but Pacquiao revealed that he had first tried to avoid that by making the bout an exhibition.

“Before, he wanted an exhibition with me. I disagree. I don’t want to fight an exhibition with him. I want to fight a real fight like this. This is it. This is what [I’ve been] waiting for.”

Netflix will stream the fight live from The Sphere, Las Vegas on September 19. Mayweather’s record will either notch upwards to 51-0, or remain at 50 wins if Pacquiao can turn back the clock.

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Netflix officially announces Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2 with date an

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Floyd Mayweather Manny Pacquiao

Netflix officially announces Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao 2 with date and venue

The rematch is official. Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will meet again.

Mayweather and Pacquiao fought in 2015 following around six years of demand for the match-up. Mayweather won a unanimous decision and would go on to retire undefeated two years later. Pacquiao fought on up until 2021, albeit with a two-year break from 2019, and retired on a loss to Yordenis Ugas. He returned to the paid ranks last year, fighting then WBC welterweight world champion Mario Barrios to a draw.

This week, ‘Money’ Mayweather revealed that he would be making a professional return following an exhibition bout with Mike Tyson in April. It came not long after Pacquiao had confirmed his own exhibition against former champion Ruslan Provodnikov for the same month.

Manny Pacquiao Floyd Mayweather

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Now, Netflix has officially announced that the two rivals will meet for a second time, over a decade on from their initial encounter, at The Sphere, Las Vegas on September 19.

The futuristic arena, which opened in 2023 just off the Strip, has hosted the UFC and major entertainment events, but is yet to stage a professional boxing card. A September rematch between two of the sport’s biggest commercial forces would mark its first foray into the sweet science – and likely do so on an unprecedented scale.

Mayweather has long prided himself on breaking gate and pay-per-view records, while Pacquiao’s global fanbase remains one of boxing’s most loyal. With Netflix’s accessibility and existing subscriber base, the rematch – a professionally sanctioned contest – can surpass the record-breaking 4.5 million homes of the 2015 bout.

If that first fight was criticised for being over-marinated, a 49-year-old Mayweather and 47-year-old Pacquiao will do little to make that wrong right, but there’s no doubt that the boxing world will stop to watch come September.

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Why Floyd Mayweather announces he is ‘un-retiring’: “I will set mor

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Floyd Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather announces he is ‘un-retiring’: “I will set more records”

Floyd Mayweather has announced he plans to make a shock return to professional boxing.

Mayweather last fought professionally in August 2017 when he defeated MMA fighter Conor McGregor in their crossover bout, as the American retired with a perfect 50-0 record.

Floyd Mayweather announces he is ‘un-retiring’: “I will set more records”

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He has taken part in a number of exhibitions since then, with one of them even set to come this year when he is scheduled to meet fellow boxing icon Mike Tyson, with it reported this week that the bout will take place in the Congo in April.

Mayweather isn’t stopping there with his boxing plans though, after it was announced he has signed an exclusive agreement with CSI Sports/FIGHT SPORTS to resume his professional boxing career.

The five-weight world champion is now 48-years-old, but he has explained why he is making the decision to return.

“I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing – from my upcoming Mike Tyson event to my next professional fight afterwards – no one will generate a bigger gate, have a larger global broadcast audience and generate more money with each event – then my events. And I plan to keep doing it with my global media partner, CSI Sports/FIGHT SPORTS.”

CSI Sports/FIGHT SPORTS co-founders Richard and Craig Miele also commented on the news.

“Signing Floyd Mayweather to un-retire after he captures another world-wide audience with his Mike Tyson match-up, highlights our commitment to providing our global audience with the most high-profile fighters in the sport.

“Floyd will once again continue to dominate boxing with the biggest audience and highest gross events of all time, and we are proud and privileged to be able to do with our global team at CSI Sports/FIGHT SPORTS.

“We look forward to even more announcements that will excite fans and continue to build the sport in 2026!”

Mayweather will first go ahead with his exhibition with Tyson, but now a surprise comeback on the professional stage also awaits.

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How Stevenson not ‘ducking’ opponents separates him from Mayweather

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Shakur Stevenson Floyd Mayweather

Roy Jones Jr explains how Shakur Stevenson ‘not ducking’ anyone has separated him from Floyd Mayweather

According to Roy Jones Jr, Shakur Stevenson may already have an attribute that separates him from Floyd Mayweather.

Just a few weeks ago, the undefeated 28-year-old, Shakur Stevenson, successfully won the Ring Magazine and WBO world super lightweight titles when he dominated Teofimo Lopez.

Due to another flawless performance, Stevenson once again drew comparisons to one of the greatest boxers of all time, Floyd Mayweather.

Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images

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Despite that, former boxing champion Roy Jones Jr believes that the 28-year-old already possesses an attribute that ‘Money’ Mayweather didn’t have.

Stevenson not ‘ducking’ opponents separates him from Mayweather

Although he is still early in his career, Stevenson has already fought several top level opponents on his way to becoming a champion in three different weight classes.

With his boxing style, Stevenson always finds himself being compared to Mayweather, as he often avoids damage in his fights.

In fact, opponents of the Olympic silver medalist only land 16.7 percent of their punches on Stevenson, which is the lowest rate in the sport.

And although that is what Mayweather built his career and success on, Jones Jr believes that is where the similarities between the two end, and he has claimed that Stevenson has something that separates him from the consensus GOAT.

“He is (this era’s Floyd Mayweather),” Jones Jr said in an interview with Fight Hub.

“Because he isn’t taking many chances, he isn’t giving guys no chance to beat him. The difference is (Stevenson’s) fighting everybody.

“He’s not ducking and dodging, he’s fighting everybody. That’s a little different. He can be Floyd Mayweather as far as not being beat in his era, but he’s a little different because he’s willing to take on the biggest challenges.”

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao hold each other during their 2015 bout

Mayweather was often criticized for delaying fights or avoiding opponents

Throughout his career, despite maintaining his flawless 50-0 record, Mayweather was often criticized for avoiding opponents or delaying matchups.

Although he and Manny Pacquiao finally fought in 2015, Mayweather was criticized for years for delaying the fight and finally agreeing to fight ‘Pac Man’ outside of his prime.

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How Floyd Mayweather Saves Al Haymon From Public Embarrass

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Floyd Mayweather Al Haymon

Floyd Mayweather Saves Al Haymon From Public Embarrassment Amid $340M Showtime Lawsuit Tied to Pacquiao, McGregor Fights

Floyd Mayweather has a friendly bout scheduled against Mike Tyson this spring. Ideally, the boxing world should be buzzing around the apparently mismatched exhibition. But it is not. As often happens in Mayweather’s case, conversations mostly center on money. In a notable development, the world’s richest boxer decided to file a $340 million lawsuit against Showtime Networks and its former president, Stephen Espinoza.

Years ago, the partnership produced some of Mayweather’s most iconic fights, including the bout against Manny Pacquiao and later with Conor McGregor. Adding intrigue to the turn of events now drawing attention across the boxing world is that recent reports suggest Floyd Mayweather may have gone easier on one of the figures included in the lawsuit – his former manager, PBC boss Al Haymon.

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Floyd Mayweather may overlook former manager in legal action vs. Showtime

Dana Rafael revealed the development through a tweet. Posting the full 25-page filing on his official X account, the award-winning journalist wrote, “Floyd Mayweather sues Showtime & Stephen Espinoza for $340M, claiming they assisted Al Haymon, his former manager, of stealing that much from him.”

The tweet immediately caught the attention of users. One wondered why Mayweather chose to go after Showtime and Espinoza but spare Haymon. In response, Rafael added, “Based on what I’m told, Floyd has already quietly settled with Haymon. I don’t know that for sure, but that’s the word.”

While Rafael may have shared what his sources relayed, another user offered a different angle. According to that user, people close to the situation said Al Haymon had contracts structured well in advance to protect him from lawsuits down the road.

It may still take time before clearer details about the multi-million-dollar litigation emerge.

Mayweather’s court fight surprises network boss Stephen Espinoza

In the lawsuit, Mayweather claimed Showtime and Espinoza colluded with his former manager, Al Haymon, to misappropriate fight earnings. The damages sought are reportedly around $340 million, which Mayweather believes represents his share from some of the biggest fights he participated in, including the Mayweather–Pacquiao bout and the Mayweather–McGregor fight. Reportedly, Mayweather made approximately $600 million from the 2016 Pacquiao fight alone.

Stephen Espinoza weighed in on the lawsuit. A lawyer himself, he was careful not to comment on legal specifics that could potentially prove self-incriminating. Speaking with Compass on the Beat, he said he had yet to review the lawsuit. “I have not seen the paperwork,” he said before adding, “I’ve seen the reports, I’ve seen the descriptions, and as usual, the attorneys don’t want me out there publicly saying it.”

Emphasizing his reputation, Espinoza said he had acted fairly in all his dealings. “I’m proud of my reputation. I think it’s one of integrity,” the former Showtime president said. “I’ve never done anything to make sure that a fighter got less than every penny that he deserved.”

Still, Espinoza could not hide his surprise at the development. Being sued shocked him personally, and he said he does not fully understand why Mayweather is pursuing legal action against him.

What continues to draw attention is the timing of Mayweather’s lawsuit. It came nine years after he fought his last professional bout, the 50th, against Conor McGregor. So what pushed the boxing great to pursue legal action now?

With multiple reports hinting at possible financial strain for the former world champion and Olympian, some believe money pressure, rather than newly discovered wrongdoing, could be behind the move. Fans will have to follow closely as further developments emerge in this massive legal fight.

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Why Boxing icon Floyd Mayweather hit with multiple lawsuits over

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Floyd Mayweather

Boxing icon Floyd Mayweather hit with multiple lawsuits over alleged $330K unpaid rent and high-end jewelry bills

Floyd Mayweather’s post-retirement life has not been as pleasant as expected. The undefeated champion is now facing multiple lawsuits tied to alleged unpaid rent and luxury jewelry transactions, which have placed scrutiny on his finances and business dealings. The legal actions arrive despite Mayweather’s long-standing image as one of the highest-paid athletes in sports history.

Court filings from New York and Florida outline claims involving a Manhattan luxury residence and high-value jewelry purchases. Together, the cases paint a detailed picture of contractual disputes that have escalated into formal litigation, with alleged unpaid amounts stretching well beyond six figures.

Floyd Mayweather

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Floyd Mayweather faces new legal trouble over unpaid rent and jewelry

At the center of the dispute is a duplex apartment at the Baccarat Hotel and Residences in Midtown Manhattan. The 4,629-square-foot unit, spanning two floors, reportedly carried a monthly rent of $100,000. According to the lawsuit filed by property owners Leila and David Centner, Mayweather fell behind on payments for several months, per NY Post.
Leila Centner told Business Insider that when she raised the issue with Mayweather in December, “He was surprised,” adding that he “had no idea he was that far behind.” She said Mayweather made one $100,000 payment but failed to clear the remaining balance or respond to follow-up communication.

The lawsuit seeks $337,736.13, a figure that includes unpaid rent, late fees, and adjustments for a security deposit and partial payment. Real estate agent Rena Kliot confirmed that the property has since been vacated and is expected to be re-listed for sale or rent in the coming months.

Two additional lawsuits have emerged from Miami-based jewelers. AJ’s Jewelry alleges that Mayweather took possession of luxury watches and gold chains worth approximately $1.675 million during two visits last August, agreeing to pay at a later date.
According to the filing, only $300,000 was paid, and five checks issued between August and November allegedly bounced. In a separate federal case, jeweler Leonard Sulaymanov has accused Mayweather and associate Jona Rechnitz of failing to honor a settlement tied to $3.9 million in watches and jewelry, further complicating the boxer’s growing list of financial disputes, per Complex.

Floyd Mayweather sued Showtime for $340 million

While defending himself in rent and jewelry disputes, Mayweather has also launched legal action of his own. The former champion filed a lawsuit against Showtime Networks and former executive Stephen Espinoza, seeking more than $340 million in alleged missing earnings.

The complaint claims the funds were misappropriated through “a long-running and elaborate scheme of financial fraud,” involving hidden accounts and lack of transparency tied to Mayweather’s biggest pay-per-view events. Mayweather says he is owed “at least” $340 million from his reported $1.2 billion in career fight purses.

Showtime’s parent company has denied the allegations, calling the claims without legal or factual merit.

Rapper 50 Cent mocks Floyd Mayweather

The legal drama quickly spilled onto social media. Rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson mocked Mayweather following news of the Showtime lawsuit, posting a photo alongside a caption that read, “Oh no, don’t cry now, champ, they beat you out of $320 million.”

Jackson added, “I told you, let me read the contracts now, lace up.”

Mayweather is certainly under the weather in terms of the legal spotlight. Further details on the lawsuits await.

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BOXING

Floyd Mayweather Mourns Close Friend’s Passing Amid $340M Sh

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Floyd Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather Mourns Close Friend’s Passing Amid $340M Showtime Lawsuit Drama

While Floyd Mayweather’s persona is often seen as a tough guy, he also share emotional connection with his friends. And that is quite visible, as amid legal drama, the boxing legend is mourning the passing of a good friend.

Following a successful professional boxing career, Floyd Mayweather enjoys a luxury lifestyle. And as he enjoys that lifestyle, Mayweather has built good friendships with several luxury goods dealers. One such individual was the owner of Max Pawn Luxury, Michael Mack, who hosted the boxing legend at his shop on multiple occasions. But when Mayweather learned about Mack’s demise, the boxing legend paid his respects.

Floyd Mayweather Mourns Close Friend's Passing Amid $340M Showtime Lawsuit Drama - EssentiallySports

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Floyd Mayweather shares a three-word message for his friend

“RIP Michael Mack🙏🏽,” wrote Mayweather on his Instagram Story. For Mayweather, Michael Mack seemed like a very close friend. The two were spotted together on multiple occasions at the Max Pawn Luxury in Las Vegas. And for Mayweather to remember his friend on his death, especially considering the legal drama the boxing legend is currently in, Mack surely was very close.

Talking about the legal drama, Floyd Mayweather has reportedly sued his former broadcasting partner, Showtime. Not only that, but he also roped in a case against Showtime’s former president, Steven Espinoza.

According to TMZ Sports, Mayweather aims to recover a minimum of $340 million, which he alleges was improperly handled. Furthermore, he is also pursuing punitive damages as part of the lawsuit. Now, this may raise the question about what money the boxing legend is talking about.

Based on court filings, Showtime and Espinoza provided money to Mayweather’s long-time adviser, Al Haymon, that was meant for him. But the boxing legend received only a partial amount. The former champion also pointed out his matches with Manny Pacquiao in 2015 and Conor McGregor in 2017, stating that the payments he received were insignificant compared to the revenue he generated for the platform.

While the legal drama takes to unfold interesting tales about the boxing business, one of Mayweather’s former friends has jumped in to poke fun at him.

50 Cent trolls Floyd Mayweather over Showtime lawsuit drama

Rapper 50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather once shared a strong bond with each other. But since 2012, their friendship turned sour. And over the years, the rapper in particular has taken verbal shots at Mayweather several times. Now, when the boxing legend’s legal action on Showtime and Steven Espinoza surfaced, 50 Cent came in with a dedicated post for Mayweather.

“Oh no don’t cry now champ, they beat you out of $[340] million, you dumb a— n—a,” 50 Cent wrote in the caption. “I told you, let me read the contracts now, lace up. You gotta look good fighting Mike. Then maybe we can get Bud to beat your a— for some big money.”

Now, while Mayweather is suing Showtime and Espinoza over alleged civil conspiracy to commit fraud, among other things, it will be interesting to see how the drama unfolds in the coming days. And what the defendants have to say in the courtroom.

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