LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. agreed to pay $5.6 million in back taxes before the Internal Revenue Service was poised to take the money from his purse after his Saturday comeback fight against Juan Manuel Marquez.The IRS sent the Nevada Athletic Commission a levy notice on Sept. 4 ordering Mayweather's unpaid taxes from 2007 to be deducted from his $10 million fight purse, commission executive director Keith Kizer told The Associated Press.
Kizer said the IRS backed off one week later, after Mayweather agreed to pay the money. Mayweather won the fight in a unanimous decision.
Mayweather's tax attorney, Jeffrey Morse, told the AP on Tuesday that federal officials never intended to take Mayweather's purse, and the five-division champion has satisfied all his IRS debts.
"Floyd has - and I will absolutely attest to it - more than satisfied every tax obligation that he has,'' Morse said. "As of today, as of some time ago, which I can't tell you when, he owes zero to the IRS.''
Morse said he expected the IRS to release a $6.17 million lien filed with the county recorder's office in Las Vegas in October last year.
Records on Tuesday showed the lien was still open.
IRS spokesman Raphael Tulino said he could not comment on individual tax matters.
A copy of the levy notice obtained by the AP shows the IRS was seeking less than what it filed for in its lien. The notice dated Aug. 25 said Mayweather owed $4.71 million in unpaid taxes and $930,000 in statutory additions calculated through Sept. 25.
Mayweather vs. Marquez Photos
Floyd Mayweather Jr. steps back after knocking down Juan Manuel Marquez, of Mexico, during their welterweight boxing match in Las Vegas, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009.
Laura Rauch, AP
LAS VEGAS - SEPTEMBER 19: Juan Manuel Marquez (L) and Floyd Mayweather Jr. battle in the ninth round of their fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena September 19, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather won by unanimous decision. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Juan Manuel Marquez;Floyd Mayweather Jr.
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LAS VEGAS - SEPTEMBER 19: Floyd Mayweather Jr. celebrates his unanimous-decision victory over Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena September 19, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Floyd Mayweather Jr.
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LAS VEGAS - SEPTEMBER 19: Floyd Mayweather Jr. gets water from a sponge squeezed at his face as he walks back to his corner at the end of his fight against Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena September 19, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather won by unanimous decision. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Floyd Mayweather Jr.
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LAS VEGAS - SEPTEMBER 19: Floyd Mayweather Jr. (L) throws a punch at Juan Manuel Marquez in the seventh round of their fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena September 19, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather won by unanimous decision. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Floyd Mayweather Jr.;Juan Manuel Marquez
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LAS VEGAS - SEPTEMBER 19: Floyd Mayweather Jr. (R) throws a punch at Juan Manuel Marquez in the sixth round of their fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena September 19, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather won by unanimous decision. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Juan Manuel Marquez;Floyd Mayweather Jr.
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LAS VEGAS - SEPTEMBER 19: Floyd Mayweather Jr. (L) dodges a punch from Juan Manuel Marquez in the fifth round of their fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena September 19, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather won by unanimous decision. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Floyd Mayweather Jr.;Juan Manuel Marquez
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LAS VEGAS - SEPTEMBER 19: Floyd Mayweather Jr. (L) throws a punch at Juan Manuel Marquez in the fourth round of their fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena September 19, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather won by unanimous decision. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Floyd Mayweather Jr.;Juan Manuel Marquez
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LAS VEGAS - SEPTEMBER 19: Floyd Mayweather Jr. (L) and Juan Manuel Marquez exchange blows in the fourth round of their fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena September 19, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather won by unanimous decision. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Floyd Mayweather Jr.;Juan Manuel Marquez
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LAS VEGAS - SEPTEMBER 19: Juan Manuel Marquez (R) throws a punch at Floyd Mayweather Jr. during their fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena September 19, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather won by unanimous decision. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Floyd Mayweather Jr.;Juan Manuel Marquez
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"Although we have given the notice and demand required by the (Internal Revenue) Code, the amount owed hasn't been paid,'' the notice to boxing regulators said. "This levy requires you to turn over to us this person's property and rights to property that you have or which you are already obligated to pay this person.''
Kizer said the IRS did not notify the commission until fight week that the levy would not be necessary. Mayweather and all other fighters on the card were fully paid, he said.
Morse said Mayweather owed substantially less than the $5.6 million levy, but would not say why it was valued at less than the original lien.
Morse said the levy itself was part of Mayweather's agreement with the IRS, not an impetus for the boxer nicknamed ``Money'' to settle the debt. Morse said the levy was used by the IRS as collateral.
"Unfortunately, if we knew that this information would be out there and disclosed to reporters, we probably wouldn't have entered into that agreement,'' Morse said. "Floyd likes to keep his private business private.''
Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) has faced liens in the past and paid them off, according to recorder records in Clark County. The IRS filed liens totaling nearly $6.3 million for unpaid taxes from 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2006, and four homeowners associations also filed claims against the boxer that were later resolved, county records show.
The IRS in August released Mayweather from a lien for nearly $15,900 for unpaid taxes from 2001, county records show. Also last month, a homeowners association rescinded a lien against Mayweather valued at nearly $4,200 last year.
Two other homeowners associations still have open liens against the boxer worth $5,200, according to Clark County records.
A New Jersey Superior Court judgment from 2007 for a state tax debt of $193,000 was still unpaid, according to the court.
Morse declined to comment on the judgment.
Mayweather also faces a lawsuit in Las Vegas from JP Morgan Chase, alleging he owes more than $167,000 on an unpaid loan for a half-million dollar luxury car from 2007. The lawsuit filed Sept. 9 alleges Mayweather bought a Mercedes Maybach 57S in February 2007 and stopped making monthly payments of more than $9,000 a year later.
Mayweather's manager, Leonard Ellerbe, said Tuesday that Mayweather had not been served with the lawsuit and declined to comment.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
9-22-2009 @ 7:24PM
Pito said...
And what was so amazing? Smaller, lighter Marquez, never fought over 135lbs. Now lets see Mayweather try that with Cotto, not Pacquiao. See, if Mayweather faces Pacquiao, he'll be facing an illegitimate welterweight [more of a lightweight blown up to make closest to 147 as possible]. Regardless of what some say about Cotto and the possibility that Pacquiao could sustain an attack from him, I refuse to believe such is possible. After a continuous up-down weight rollercoaster, Oscar De La Hoya may've been an easy target for both Manny and Floyd. And although the same is not quite true of Hatton, the fact that Ricky and his hyper style of boxing along with the love of his fans led to the hype and overrating, are the same reasons for his failure before Manny and Floyd. Now with a man who stood in the ring and won against Shane Mosley and his speed, Zab Judah and his speed [once the fastest hands in the ring], Clottey and his power, Corley chop-chop] and his veteran intelligence, not to mention 11 rounds of constant loaded-glove pounding by Margarito [because as much as some would love to deny it], the fact remains that if he got caught, he'd been doing it for a while. Margarito didn't happen to start cheating the same night he got caught. Cotto has what it takes to take mayweather on and beat him. Otherwise why would Mayweather run so fast the opposite way, while making excuses the entire road? Floyd knows that the only way for him to even have a chance at retiring undefeated is if he stays as far away from the same ring Cotto enters. Without discrediting the man [his speed and so far, his knowledge in the ring have served him well enough]; As long as Floyd doesn't climb into the same ring Cotto does, on the same night, for a fight against him, he will retire undefeated and still claim he's the best P4P in the sport. And THAT will allow him to continue sleeping better at night.......
Reply
9-23-2009 @ 7:14AM
Danny said...
NO,PAUL WILLAMS.
9-22-2009 @ 8:16PM
bsf47 said...
I think the toughest fight for Mayweather is Shane Mosley .He is a legitimate welterweight with terrific speed and good defensive skills. I think Pacquaio is an easier fight and I don't think Mayweather wants any part of Mosley.
Reply
9-22-2009 @ 8:23PM
stevoman97 said...
Since IRS money problem has been satisfied, I think Mayweather will be anouncing his second retirement. Easy money problem solve right pbf!!!!
Reply
9-22-2009 @ 8:51PM
videoinstall said...
COTTO BY KO! good night Floyd money(IRS)mayweather
Reply
9-22-2009 @ 10:41PM
emoe said...
cotto vs pacman what a hell of a fight.mayweather find another job.this hand picking and comming in over weight,cheating stuff is making boxing look bad.the real boxing fans need to say something about this foolishness.I said the real boxing fans!not the ones that support mayweather, who go around buying bootleg cd's and robbing pizza stores.
9-22-2009 @ 11:15PM
wslj2 said...
i think floyd needs to jump on paul williams ( the punisher ) then we will see what kind of heart he really has
Reply
9-23-2009 @ 12:50AM
simonelli's said...
everyone hates floyd but that boy wims every time he is to smart oscar was a true welterweigt smashed him im sure hehell fight someone soon and they will loose he will destoy pacman and shane is a old man he will be just like oscar beat bad
Reply
9-23-2009 @ 5:05AM
pote207 said...
ANYBODY that believes this stand on your head. It will NEVER, NEVER happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Reply
9-23-2009 @ 8:25AM
hharryfhm said...
Mayweather Jr should go back to the WWE. His month fits right in there.
Reply
9-23-2009 @ 10:15AM
rtcraw said...
He's a rich bonehead boxer with an excessive money blowing lifestyle, he'll wind up broke real soon.
Reply
9-23-2009 @ 10:38AM
LRAdams said...
This is great news*. Now that he has agreed to pay his back taxes he is now eligible to become the *Sports* Czar.
Reply
9-23-2009 @ 10:42AM
OINKJOHNSON2 said...
Sounds like Mayweather is a better tax cheat than he is a fighter! Lock the bastard up and see how well he fights in prison.
Reply
9-23-2009 @ 10:57AM
Robert said...
He must be getting ready to be appointed to high office by Obama
Reply
9-23-2009 @ 11:55AM
YOU SICK HUMAN said...
Dumber than a bag of hammers.
Reply
9-23-2009 @ 12:00PM
YOU SICK HUMAN said...
And what was so amazing? Yada yada yada yada yada yada yada yada yada yada yada yada yada yada yada.
And THAT will allow him to continue sleeping better at night.......
Reply
9-23-2009 @ 12:43PM
jccalcourt said...
Do you suppose Charlie Rangel will pay his back taxes now that Floyd will pay his???
Reply
9-23-2009 @ 1:29PM
rk21160 said...
just another pri ck that thinks the world owes him everything! These people make me sick! Pay your taxes azzhole!
Reply
9-23-2009 @ 2:12PM
Jef2rey. said...
It just Boggles my mind , how these guys can OWE so much money in BACK TAXES. Who, ( if anybody ) is suppose to be taking care of their finances. AND, don't they know that they MUST pay taxes.
Reply
9-23-2009 @ 2:20PM
gonzo1 said...
the i.r.s. should've taken his entire purse just for the fact that he HAS to owe interest and penalties . anybody else save from the current presidential administrations cabinet members would go to prison for far less.
Reply