The boxing world is buzzing with controversy as Floyd Mayweather Sr., father and former trainer of the undefeated boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr., has reportedly spoken out about his son’s rumored financial troubles, including a supposed $402 million real estate scam and whispers of bankruptcy. The allegations, which have swirled since Mayweather Jr.’s high-profile claim of purchasing 62 apartment buildings in New York City, have taken a dramatic turn with Sr.’s alleged exposé, raising questions about the truth behind “Money” Mayweather’s empire. Here’s the explosive breakdown of a saga that’s gripping fans and skeptics alike!
The firestorm began in February 2025, when Mayweather Jr. announced he’d shelled out $402 million to acquire over 1,000 residential units in Upper Manhattan, boasting on Instagram about his new role as a real estate mogul. The claim, initially met with awe, soon drew scrutiny when Business Insider (March 2025) found no public records to support the transaction. The New York City Housing Partnership, typically involved in such deals, also told the outlet it had “no knowledge of any sale or transfer,” sparking doubts about the deal’s legitimacy. Enter Floyd Sr., whose alleged comments, amplified by YouTube channels like FIGHT TODAY (April 12, 2025), suggest he’s ready to spill insider details on what he calls a “mess” tied to his son’s finances.
According to unverified reports circulating on X and SoapboxF1, Sr. claims Floyd Jr.’s real estate venture was a “smoke-and-mirrors” move to mask deeper financial woes, with some posts quoting him as saying, “He’s been spending wild, and now it’s catching up.” While no direct interview with Sr. has been confirmed by major outlets, the narrative aligns with earlier warnings he gave in 2015 to Daily Mail, where he feared Floyd’s lavish lifestyle—complete with fleets of luxury cars and private jets—could lead to ruin despite earnings topping $1.2 billion. “I told him, you can’t keep throwing money like that,” Sr. reportedly said, hinting at a rift over Floyd’s spending habits.
Fueling the bankruptcy buzz are troubles at Mayweather’s businesses. In January 2025, employees at his Los Angeles gym protested unpaid wages, with some accusing the Mayweather Boxing and Fitness group of “modern-day slavery” (Marca, Jan. 3). Though a source denied Floyd’s direct involvement, calling the gym a franchise, the optics were damning. A similar issue hit an Elk Grove gym, shuttered over $30,000 in unpaid rent (Marca), while a February 2025 lawsuit claimed Mayweather ordered his bodyguard to assault a man, seeking $3 million in damages (Reddit/r/Boxing). On X, fans are split: “Floyd’s too smart to go broke—he’s got investments everywhere,” one wrote, while another countered, “If Sr.’s talking, it’s bad. Nobody spends like Floyd without consequences.”
The “scam” label stems from skepticism about the Manhattan deal. Critics, including 50 Cent, who reignited their feud on April 8 via Instagram, mocked Floyd’s claims, sharing a Fighters Corner News clip titled “Stephen A. Smith EXPOSES Floyd Mayweather For Going BANKRUPT After $402 Million SCAM” (HotNewHipHop, April 10). The video questions why no deeds or contracts have surfaced, with 50 Cent jabbing, “Damn Champ, they caught you CAPPIN.” Adding intrigue, Mayweather’s silence—he hasn’t addressed the allegations directly—contrasts with his December 2024 purchase of a $20 million Midtown property, suggesting he’s still splashing cash (Marca, Jan. 3).
Sr.’s alleged involvement adds a personal twist. The father-son duo has a fraught history, with Floyd Jr. claiming in Bleacher Report (2015) that he “basically raised himself” amid Sr.’s drug-dealing and incarceration, while Sr. insists he shaped Floyd’s career (Wikipedia). Whether Sr.’s comments are a genuine exposé or exaggerated by clickbait remains unclear—mainstream outlets like ESPN or The Athletic haven’t verified his statements. Still, the timing, paired with Floyd’s legal and business headaches, paints a troubling picture for the boxer once dubbed the richest athlete alive.