In the mid-2000s, a highly publicized friendship blossomed between the world champion boxer and the platinum-selling rap artist. 50 Cent was there to witness Floyd's transformation from “Pretty Boy Floyd” to the trash-talking and egotistical man known as “Money” Mayweather.
On May 5, 2007, Jackson joined Mayweather for his famous Cinco de Mayo concert. Mayweather wore boxing trunks sporting the colors of the Mexican flag, topping off the outfit with a mariachi-style sombrero. When the bell rang, Mayweather took part in the main event. At the conclusion of the 12-round contest, he defeated Oscar De La Hoya via split decision to win the WBC junior-middleweight title.
In September 2010, Mayweather was arrested for domestic violence. After his team successfully negotiated a plea deal, he turned himself in at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas on June 1, 2012.
Mayweather served two months in prison before being released. Once he was out, his friendship with 50 Cent took a turn for the worse.
According to 50 Cent, before Mayweather took the stand, Floyd asked him to help him 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. “When he came in, I looked, and I saw that there is no Mayweather Promotions, no LLC, no logo, it is not incorporated.”
While Mayweather was incarcerated, 50 Cent signed boxers, did the right thing, and legalized the company under the TMT Promotions brand, investing 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 fights. By the time he retired from professional boxing, he had amassed over $1 billion in career earnings.
After retiring in 2017, Mayweather refused to slow down. He continued to spend at a rapid pace, maintaining a large entourage, traveling on regular jets, and buying expensive jewelry and luxury cars.
“I think he got to right now because the money is gone,” 50 Cent said. “The way he lives, the money is gone, trust me. Now it's like if you call him, he'll be at your local nightclub because he needs that action right now.”
When the rapper first made this statement, it felt ridiculous to the public. Years later, his analysis appears to be completely accurate. Floyd Mayweather is facing a lot of financial pressure, and his economic situation seems to be forcing him to return to the ring.
According to Business Insider, two of Mayweather's commercial properties have been seized, and the IRS has placed him in a $7.3 million debt to pay taxes from 2018 and 2023. In addition, Mayweather is at risk of losing other properties he used as collateral to secure a $54 million loan. He also faces two felony charges for allegedly writing a bad $200,000 check to buy an Audemars Piguet luxury watch.
From a financial standpoint, Mayweather may be down by his lofty standards, but he is certainly not out. A big payday is right around the corner this September, where he puts his perfect 50-0 legacy on the line for a highly anticipated rematch with Manny Pacquiao.
