Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather is facing a major legal battle after a promoter filed a federal lawsuit seeking millions in damages for alleged breaches of contracts involving fights against Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao. CSI Entertainment filed the lawsuit in New York, claiming Mayweather accepted millions in advance payments and then walked away from the agreements.
The promoter alleges it paid a total of $4.5 million in advances to Mayweather’s management firm, Frist Apex Ventures, for the exclusive rights to two major bouts. The first was an exhibition match against Mike Tyson, and the second was a professional rematch against Manny Pacquiao that would have put Mayweather’s undefeated 50-0 record on the line. CSI claims Mayweather personally approved these deals.
According to the complaint, the situation escalated when Mayweather announced a separate exhibition fight against Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis. The promoter claims this violated the exclusivity agreement, especially as it happened the day after Mayweather received a $150,000 cash advance from them. The lawsuit is asking the court to stop Mayweather from fighting Zambidis on June 27 and to block the proposed Pacquiao fight.
Adding to the legal drama, CSI alleges Mayweather secretly entered into a separate agreement to stream the proposed Pacquiao rematch on Netflix, reportedly for a $24.75 million deal. This fight was planned to take place at the Sphere in Las Vegas, but CSI claims it was negotiated in violation of their exclusive rights. The promoter is seeking up to $6.65 million in restitution or other monetary damages.
