American boxer Floyd Mayweather has been arraigned before a Las Vegas court over felony charges of grand theft and intent to defraud.
The development follows allegations that the retired undefeated champion used a non-sufficient funds (NSF) check to acquire a luxury Audemars Piguet wristwatch valued at $200,000.
According to criminal complaints filed by prosecutors, the transaction took place in December 2024 at a Las Vegas jewellery shop called Gold and Beyond.
The official complaint alleged that Mayweather issued a check on a Wells Fargo account while fully aware that the account lacked the necessary balance or credit facilities to clear the transaction.
At a court hearing on Monday, June 15, 2026, legal representatives for the athlete defended the case, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment for theft and up to 4 years for fraud.
Marc Cook, the attorney representing the jewellery firm, stated that the business delayed legal action for over a year to allow the boxer to settle the debt amicably before communication ceased entirely.
“The reason for the delay is that my guy trusted Mayweather and was trying to give him every opportunity to make good on that. And it got to the point where he wasn’t getting responses and wasn’t getting money for a watch that Mayweather had for well over a year.”
The indictment comes amid broader financial scrutiny for the sporting icon, who is currently managing a $7 million tax liability and facing separate multi-million-dollar litigations against entertainment networks. Legal representatives indicate that the criminal proceedings will not impact Mayweather’s scheduled travel for an exhibition bout in Europe later this month.