Mayweather sued for $4.65M over Tyson, Pacquiao fight advances

Floyd Mayweather is facing a $4.65 million lawsuit from CSI Sports Events over alleged breach of contract involving planned fights with Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao, according to a complaint obtained by The Ring.

CSI claims it paid Mayweather $4.5 million in advances last year for exclusive promotional rights to two events: an exhibition with Tyson and a professional rematch with Pacquiao. One day after CSI handed over a second advance of $150,000, Mayweather announced an exhibition with Greek kickboxer Michael Zambidis set for June 27 in Athens, the suit alleges. CSI had no involvement in that bout and contends the announcement violated its exclusive agreement.

Mayweather's Netflix deal triggers lawsuit escalation

The complaint further alleges that Mayweather entered a separate agreement with production company Everwonder to stage the Pacquiao rematch on Netflix. That deal reportedly guaranteed Mayweather $24.75 million plus a potential $3.75 million bonus and included a $2.75 million advance. Netflix announced in February that Mayweather would face Pacquiao on September 19 at The Sphere in Las Vegas, though the retired boxer later disputed signing for an official professional bout despite contracts stating otherwise.

Under CSI's original terms, Mayweather stood to earn $14 million for the Tyson exhibition and $35 million for the Pacquiao fight, with the option of $50 million if the event did not go to pay-per-view. The Tyson bout, announced last September with a projected spring 2026 window, was being planned for the Democratic Republic of Congo before the fighter injured his hand. According to the suit, Mayweather was only permitted to take an interim fight if Tyson could not compete by November 30.

CSI is seeking an injunction to block the Greece exhibition and full repayment of all advances. The lawsuit adds to mounting legal troubles for Mayweather, who reportedly faces felony charges over a bad check for a $200,000 watch and is at risk of passport revocation over $7.25 million in unpaid taxes.

Source: ringmagazine.com