In the mid-2000s, a highly publicized friendship blossomed between the world champion boxer and the platinum-selling rap artist. 50 Cent was right there to witness Floyd’s transition from “Pretty Boy Floyd” to the trash-talking, egotistical villain known as “Money” Mayweather.
On May 5, 2007, Jackson joined Mayweather for his famous Cinco de Mayo ringwalk. Mayweather wore boxing trunks sporting the colors of the Mexican flag, topping off the outfit with a mariachi-style sombrero. When the bell sounded, Mayweather participated in a highly competitive bout. At the conclusion of the 12-round contest, he defeated Oscar De La Hoya via split decision to win the WBC junior-middleweight title.
The victory over De La Hoya was a career-defining win that jump-started the “Money” Mayweather era. Floyd went on to become the face of boxing and the undisputed pay-per-view king.
Mayweather achieved next-level fame, and alongside that fame, he routinely filled his pockets. However, a serious legal matter soon threatened to derail his momentum.
In September 2010, Mayweather was arrested for felony domestic abuse. After his team successfully negotiated a plea deal, he surrendered to the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas on June 1, 2012.
Mayweather served two months before being released from jail. Once he was out, his friendship with 50 Cent took a turn for the worse.
According to 50 Cent, prior to Mayweather turning himself in, Floyd asked him to help manage TMT and Mayweather Promotions. As a guest on Power 106 with Big Boy in November 2012, 50 Cent explained what happened.
“As he was actually going into jail, he asked me to help him with Mayweather Promotions,” 50 Cent stated. “Then as he actually got in, and I took a look, I realized there is no Mayweather Promotions, there’s no LLC, there’s no seal, it’s not incorporated.”
While Mayweather was incarcerated, 50 Cent signed boxers, did the necessary legwork, and legitimized the company under the TMT Promotions brand, investing both his time and money. Once Mayweather finished serving his time, he refused to acknowledge 50 Cent as a business partner. This structural dispute ultimately fractured the friendship.
From 2013 to 2017, Mayweather resumed his boxing career, clearing nine figures in most of those bouts. When he retired from professional boxing, he had tallied up over 1 billion dollars in career earnings.
After retiring in 2017, Mayweather refused to downsize. He continued to spend money at a rapid pace, maintaining a massive entourage, routinely flying on a private jet, and purchasing expensive jewelry and luxury vehicles.
In February 2020, 50 Cent was a guest on the Hot 97 radio show. When asked if Mayweather should return to the ring, he dropped a bombshell.
“I think he got to right now because the money is gone,” 50 Cent said. “With his lifestyle that money is gone, trust me. Now it’s like if you call him, he’ll be at, you know, your local hosting in a nightclub cause he needs that action right now.”
When the rap mogul initially made the statement, it sounded ridiculous to the public. Years later, his assessment appears entirely accurate. Floyd Mayweather is facing significant financial pressure, and his economic situation seems to have forced him back into the ring.
According to Business Insider, two of Mayweather’s commercial properties have been foreclosed, and the IRS filed a 7.3 million dollar lien against him for unpaid taxes stemming from 2018 and 2023. Furthermore, Mayweather risks losing additional properties that he used as collateral to secure a 54 million dollar loan. He is also facing two felony charges for allegedly writing a $200,000 bad check to purchase an Audemars Piguet luxury watch.
From a financial standpoint, Mayweather may be down by his lofty standards, but he is certainly not out. A massive payday is on the horizon this September, when he puts his perfect 50-0 legacy on the line in a highly anticipated rematch against Manny Pacquiao.
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