Floyd Mayweather is facing felony charges in Las Vegas after prosecutors accused him of writing a bad check for a $200,000 luxury watch.
The undefeated boxing champion, 49, was charged with theft and passing a bad check tied to a purchase at a Las Vegas boutique. Mayweather did not appear in person at a hearing earlier this week and was represented by his attorney.
Mayweather is currently preparing to return to the ring for an exhibition fight against Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis on June 27 and is also expected to face longtime rival Manny Pacquiao later this year.
“Lies and negative news always travel faster than the truth,” the embattled athlete wrote on social media. “That’s just the way things work.”
He added, “At the end of the day, my name staying in the media is still my name staying in the media. Attention is attention. People keep talking, people keep watching, and that attention keeps generating opportunities.”
Mayweather also said he is focused on “family, generational wealth and staying out of other people business that’s not my own.”
The boxer, who retired from professional competition with a perfect 50-0 record, has remained a major draw through exhibition bouts and public appearances.