In the mid-2000s, a highly publicized friendship blossomed between a world champion boxer and a platinum-selling rapper. 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 in the colors of the Mexican flag, accessorizing the outfit with a mariachi-style sombrero. When the bell rang, Mayweather took part in the main event. At the end of the 12-round contest, he defeated Oscar De La Hoya by split decision to win the WBC junior-middleweight title.
De La Hoya’s victory was a career-defining achievement that started Mayweather’s “Money” era. Floyd went on to become the face of boxing and the undisputed king of pay-per-view.
Mayweather achieved next-level fame, and alongside that fame, he often lined his pockets. However, a serious legal matter soon threatened to derail his momentum.
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 came out, his friendship with 50 Cent changed dramatically.
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.
“When he was going to prison, he asked me to help him with Mayweather Promotions,” said 50 Cent. “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. When Mayweather finished serving his time, he refused to accept 50 Cent as a business partner. This structural conflict eventually broke 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.
In February 2020, 50 Cent was a guest on the hot radio show Hot 97. When asked if Mayweather should return to the ring, he just blurted out.
“I think you’re here now because the money’s 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 from his prime, but he’s certainly not out yet. 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.
