PBD Podcast · Oct 20, 2026 · 1h 5m · 58m saved
With Floyd Mayweather, professional boxer and entrepreneur
Floyd Mayweather says two people he trusted took a combined $550 million from him over his career — one he describes as a "father figure," the other someone who sat beside him "acting like a friend" while handling his business affairs.
Most retired champions guard their finances quietly. Floyd named figures, attached dollar amounts to each one, and compared part of the money trail to one of the largest frauds in American history.
"It's no different from the Bernie Madoff story at this level... I done a deal with Showtime. Money on the back end supposed to come to Mayweather Promotions... and they sent it to someone else's account." — Floyd Mayweather
Floyd Mayweather, the undefeated boxer who bought out his own promotional contract for $750,000 and turned it into $750 million over his next three fights, told Patrick Bet-David on the PBD Podcast how both alleged thefts happened and why he still guarantees himself the biggest purses in the sport.
The full interview is covered here so you can skip it. 65 minutes of audio, 7 minutes of reading.
Here are the 6 numbers that matter.
Key Takeaways
Floyd paid $750,000 to buy out his promotional contract, then made $750 million off his next three fights
McGregor, Pacquiao and Canelo were the three fights
Two separate people allegedly stole a combined $550 million from him
A "father figure" took $350 million; a second person "acting like a friend" took $200 million
A Showtime payment meant for his own promotional company was allegedly redirected to someone else's account
A Pacquiao rematch collapsed after the alleged $200 million thief tried to pay both fighters equal purses
Floyd is guaranteed $110 million for a 2027 rematch, against $101 million the first time
Floyd credits himself with making Conor McGregor's 2017 crossover payday possible, and says he made roughly $300 million off that fight himself
His money rule for everyone: always save half of whatever you earn
1. The $750K Buyout
Floyd's independence from promoters started with a single check. His contract had technically ended, but his former promoter still held options on him.
Floyd bought out his own contract for $750,000 to control his own earnings
"They had me in a contract and my contract had came to an end, but they still had options on me. So I took it upon myself, wrote the check for 750,000." — Floyd Mayweather
That one payment let him keep fighter pay, merchandise and ticket revenue instead of splitting them with a promoter. He calls it the best money he ever spent.
"When I left the company, in three fights — McGregor, Pacquiao, and Canelo — I made 750 million." — Floyd Mayweather
Patrick Bet-David asked whether Floyd would hold a fighter under contract the way promoters once tried to hold him. Floyd said no — he would let any of the 200 to 300 fighters he now promotes leave freely, confident in his own ability to "fish" and "climb" regardless of who works for him.
