For years, Floyd Mayweather Jr. told the world he was one of boxing's most successful businessmen. He even changed his nickname from "Pretty Boy Floyd" to "Money" and constantly reminded fans that he was as skilled at making money as he was at winning fights. Now, the multi-division champion claims that millions of dollars that belonged to him ended up somewhere else. In a lawsuit filed in New York state court, Mayweather alleges that a longtime trusted advisor orchestrated a years-long scheme that diverted money, real estate proceeds, business distributions, settlement funds, jewelry, and even aircraft-related assets away from him and into accounts controlled by others. The complaint seeks at least $175 million in damages, along with punitive damages and a full accounting of where the money went.
This latest, New York-based lawsuit is the second nine-figure legal action initiated by Mayweather in recent months. Along with the retired boxer's pursuit of an ambitious schedule of exhibitions (the two biggest ones are not yet finalized), these developments have fueled speculation that "Money" Mayweather is in bad financial shape. He also has a California lawsuit going in which he is seeking to recover hundreds of millions of dollars in allegedly misappropriated funds and damages. The undefeated boxing legend claims he is the victim of a long-running and elaborate scheme of financial fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and conspiracy orchestrated by his former manager and advisor, Al Haymon, with the knowing and substantial participation and aid of Defendants Showtime Networks Inc. and Showtime’s former executive, Stephen Espinoza. Significantly, the lawsuit did not name Haymon as defendant. In that lawsuit, Mayweather says he was deprived of at least $340 million (and potentially far more when accounting for lost investment growth)—through a web of hidden accounts, unauthorized transactions, and deliberate concealment of financial records. Add the two lawsuits together, and Mayweather claims half a billion dollars have been stolen from him!
According to this latest lawsuit, the relationship at the center of the dispute stretches back years. Mayweather alleges that Ari Rechnitz became much more than a business contact, acting as an investment manager, real estate advisor, banking liaison, and trusted confidant in handling portions of the fighter's financial affairs. The complaint claims Mayweather relied heavily on Rechnitz's guidance and trusted him to manage transactions that involved tens of millions of dollars. The lawsuit paints a picture of a sprawling financial network involving real estate deals, investment vehicles, loans, and limited liability companies. At the heart of many of the allegations is a company called Frist Apex Ventures, LLC, which Mayweather claims became a repository for funds that should have gone to him.
The most eye-catching-- but not the most financially significant-- allegations involve Mayweather's famed jewelry collection. Mayweather alleges that jewelry with an asserted value of approximately $100 million was pledged to two Miami jewelry dealers in 2025. According to the lawsuit, in exchange for $100 million in jewelery, Mayweather only received back roughly $13 million. Mayweather claims he never received an accounting of what happened to the proceeds and alleges that a substantial portion of the jewelry remains in the dealers' possession. The filing further alleges that one dealer later threatened to begin liquidating the jewelry if payment was not received. According to the complaint, Rechnitz responded to that message by agreeing to do so on Mayweather's behalf.
Among Mayweather's biggest complaints is his claim that more than $15 million in funds involving SL Green Realty Corp. were transferred away from Mayweather without his authorization. According to the complaint, those proceeds belonged to Mayweather, yet were allegedly sent to Frist Apex Ventures at Rechnitz's direction.
The lawsuit also focuses on a Las Vegas property located at 9504 Kings Gate Court. According to the filing, a Nevada company was formed in early 2025 with Mayweather listed as its sole member. Weeks later, the property was refinanced for $8.2 million. The complaint alleges that more than $2.1 million in net refinance proceeds were transferred to Frist Apex Ventures without Mayweather's authorization.
Another allegation concerns a Gulfstream G-IV aircraft. Mayweather claims that in November 2025 he signed paperwork related to the sale of the aircraft at Rechnitz's direction, but that the purchaser's information was left blank and that he never received an accounting showing where the proceeds went. The complaint alleges that proceeds from the transaction were diverted elsewhere and that neither Mayweather nor his aviation company received any of the money.
The lawsuit also cites a January 1, 2026 email that allegedly directed 80 percent of certain Manhattan real estate distributions to Mayweather Promotions while sending the remaining 20 percent to Frist Apex Ventures. Mayweather claims the email demonstrates an ongoing diversion of funds.
Legally speaking, Mayweahter has named the folling as defendants: Ari Rechnitz (Mayweather's longtime investment and real-estate advisor); Joshua Frist (who allegedly participated in various transactions and communications); Frist Apex Ventures, LLC, a company that the allegedly received and held the funds Mayweather is seeking to recover); and David Seligson, who managed some of Mayweather's businesses and supposedly carried out fund transfers at Rechnitz's direction.
Mayweather asserts claims for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, accounting, unjust enrichment, and the imposition of a constructive trust. In plain terms, Mayweather is alleging that trusted associates misrepresented transactions, concealed important information, improperly controlled his assets, and benefitted from money that should have belonged to him. It is important to note that these are allegations only. The lawsuit represents Mayweather's version of events, and the defendants will have an opportunity to respond in court.
Still, the filing offers a remarkable look into the financial world surrounding one of boxing's biggest stars. For a fighter whose career earnings have long been measured in the hundreds of millions of dollars, the dispute is not about a single fight purse or promotional contract. Instead, it is a battle over what Mayweather claims was a years-long pattern of unauthorized transfers involving some of the most valuable assets associated with his business empire.
Whether the allegations ultimately hold up remains to be seen. But with at least $175 million at stake, the case could become one of the most closely watched legal fights of Mayweather's post-boxing career.
