In 2002, Floyd Mayweather was convicted of two counts of domestic violence and one of misdemeanour battery, for which he received a six-month suspended jail sentence.
In 2004, he received a one year suspended jail sentence after being convicted of two counts of battery against two different women.
And in 2011, a judge ordered him to serve 90 days jail (of which he served two months) for a 2010 assault and domestic battery on then-girlfriend Josie Harris. This is documented fact. Mayweather was arrested, charged, tried, found guilty, convicted, sentenced, and served jail time because he physically beat Josie Harris.
Throughout his career, life, and public persona, Mayweather has not once accepted responsibility, or atoned, for any of his actions.
Soon, though, he may have to pay for it.
Josie Harris has filed a lawsuit against Mayweather over a pre-fight interview he conducted with Katie Couric. Harris is seeking $20million for defamation over Mayweather’s on-the-record comments that not only deny any wrongdoing whatsoever, but also characterise Harris as drug user, whilst portraying himself as something of a noble hero.
“Did I kick, stomp and beat someone? No, that didn’t happen. I look in your face and say, ‘No, that didn’t happen.’ Did I restrain a woman that was on drugs? Yes, I did. So if they say that’s domestic violence, then, you know what? I’m guilty. I’m guilty of restraining someone.”
This, again, is his recalling of an incident a court of law found him guilty of. An incident that he served jail time for. And an incident that occurred in front of his (then) 11 year-old son Koraun, whose detailed and harrowing statement to Police is very much on the record.
In explaining the conviction, Mayweather quipped “I’m black. I’m rich. And I’m outspoken. Those are three strikes right there.“
But he also beat Josie Harris – severely, and repeatedly. These are the established and proven facts of the case.
Outwardly, Floyd Mayweather might never accept the responsibility of his reprehensible actions. Financially, however, all empirical evidence indicates that the $200million purse he handily pocketed from a disappointing bout might be lighter by a significant sum in the not-too-distant future.
Photo: Al Bello via Getty Images.
