For over a decade, Mayweather has been seen as a symbol of wealth in professional sports. He is not only one of the greatest boxers in history but also built his "Money Mayweather" persona as a money-making machine, frequently showcasing private jets, supercars, diamond watches, and stacks of cash on social media.

A photo of Floyd Mayweather "showing off" cash that once went viral on social media.

At the peak of his career, Mayweather generated approximately USD 2.7 billion in revenue from his fights and pocketed over USD 1.1 billion in prize money. According to Sportico statistics, the American boxer's total inflation-adjusted earnings are estimated at USD 1.57 billion, placing him among the highest-paid athletes in modern sports history.

However, by 2026, the image of Mayweather's impenetrable financial empire began to crack. A series of lawsuits, tax disputes, cryptocurrency scandals, and rumors of liquidity issues have raised questions about the former boxing champion's true financial status.

A pivotal moment that changed boxing history occurred in 2006. This year is considered the turning point that completely transformed Mayweather's financial career. While fighting under promoter Bob Arum and Top Rank, the American boxer realized that most of the profits in boxing flowed to organizers and broadcasters rather than the fighters.

After breaking his contract with Top Rank, Mayweather founded his own company, Mayweather Promotions.

Mayweather decided to pay approximately USD 750,000 to activate a contract termination clause with Top Rank, subsequently establishing his own company, Mayweather Promotions.

This decision transformed Mayweather from a salaried boxer into the direct owner of his own fight events. Instead of receiving only a fixed fee, Mayweather benefited from ticket sales, television rights, pay-per-view purchases, advertising, and related merchandise.

This model later became a blueprint for many combat sports stars, such as Conor McGregor.

Two fights propelled Mayweather to billionaire status. On 2/5/2015, Mayweather faced Manny Pacquiao in the "Fight of the Century". The event attracted approximately 4,6 million pay-per-view buys and generated nearly USD 600 million in revenue, becoming one of the most profitable fights in sports history. Mayweather alone reportedly earned around USD 250 million.

Floyd Mayweather (left) lands a punch on Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, US on 2/5/2015. Photo: AP

Floyd Mayweather (left) lands a punch on Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, US on 2/5/2015. Photo: AP

Two years later, the American boxer continued to generate immense buzz by fighting UFC star McGregor. This bout also caused a sensation, bringing in approximately USD 600 million in revenue, with Mayweather's personal earnings estimated between USD 275 and USD 300 million.

These two fights alone allowed the American boxer to earn more money than the combined career earnings of many other boxing legends.

A real estate empire and a luxurious lifestyle defined Mayweather's post-fighting career. After reducing his fighting frequency, Mayweather shifted his focus to significant investments in real estate, hotels, and cash-generating assets.

Through his company Vada Properties, the boxer, born in 1977, reportedly purchased over 1,000 apartments in the Upper Manhattan area for approximately USD 402 million in late 2024.

Mayweather alongside properties he purchased in Morningside Heights, Upper Manhattan, New York City, US, in march 2025. Photo: Wealth

Mayweather alongside properties he purchased in Morningside Heights, Upper Manhattan, New York City, US, in march 2025. Photo: Wealth

Additionally, Mayweather invested over USD 100 million in a commercial real estate joint venture with 601W Companies, owning several large office buildings in Chicago and New York City.

Parallel to his boxing career and financial investments was his famously extravagant spending. Mayweather frequently appeared with Richard Mille watches, Bugatti supercars, private jets, and luxury casinos in Las Vegas.

Recent financial reports, however, indicate he has quietly sold his "Air Mayweather" private jet along with several properties in Beverly Hills and Miami. Many sources suggest Mayweather is increasingly reliant on mortgage loans to maintain his cash flow.

Mayweather has faced continuous tax collection efforts, one of the most significant pressures for him over the years coming from the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Following his fight with McGregor in 2017, the American boxer was required to pay approximately USD 22,2 million in outstanding taxes. In 2023, Mayweather settled another case involving a tax debt of about USD 5,5 million, plus over USD 1 million in penalties.

By 2026, the IRS filed a new tax lien valued at approximately USD 7,3 million related to the 2018 and 2023 fiscal years. Mayweather's legal team declined to comment on this debt.

In addition to tax issues, Mayweather has also encountered trouble due to promoting cryptocurrency. In 2018, he settled a case with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) after being accused of receiving USD 300,000 to promote a fraudulent crypto project, Centra Tech, without disclosing the compensation.

Subsequently, the American boxer was involved in a class-action lawsuit concerning the EthereumMax cryptocurrency, alongside television star Kim Kardashian. Plaintiffs alleged that the celebrities contributed to inflating the token's value before its price plummeted by nearly 97%.

A USD 340 million legal battle with Showtime has also emerged. In early 2026, Mayweather garnered attention by suing the premium television channel Showtime, alleging that over USD 340 million in pay-per-view revenue and fight earnings had been withheld or improperly accounted for.

The lawsuit is seen as a blow to the "king of financial control" image Mayweather cultivated for years. Showtime denies all allegations.

Netflix announced a rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Exhibition boxing has become Mayweather's final money-making machine. Amid increasing financial pressure, Mayweather is increasingly dependent on exhibition matches to generate quick cash flow. These fights do not affect his undefeated 50-0 professional record, while carrying low risk but still generating substantial revenue due to media appeal.

An exhibition match in japan with fighter Mikuru Asakura is an example, where Mayweather reportedly earned approximately USD 20 million after just a few minutes of fighting. This year, Mayweather is expected to face Pacquiao again in Las Vegas on 19/9.

In his 40s, Mayweather's exhibition matches are no longer merely stages to showcase his glory. They increasingly resemble an effort to maintain a vast financial empire under significant pressure.

Hong Duy compiled