IRS Warns Floyd Mayweather of Passport Revocation

‘Money’ No More? IRS Warns Floyd Mayweather of Passport Revocation Over £5.8m Tax Debt

LAS VEGAS — The man who built an empire on the moniker "Money" is reportedly facing a knockout blow from the taxman. In a move that could ground his global tour of exhibition bouts, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has officially notified Floyd Mayweather Jr. of its intention to revoke his United States passport due to "seriously delinquent" tax debt.

According to documents reviewed by The Ring and various legal analysts this week, the undefeated boxing legend currently owes the US government upwards of $7.3 million (£5.8 million) in unpaid taxes, interest, and penalties stemming from the 2018 and 2023 tax years.

The ‘FAST Act’ Trap

The IRS action is being triggered under the FAST Act (Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act), a federal law that allows the government to certify a taxpayer’s debt as "seriously delinquent" if it exceeds an inflation-adjusted threshold, currently set at $64,000 for 2026.

Once the IRS certifies this debt to the State Department, the department is legally required to deny any new passport applications and has the discretionary power to revoke existing ones. For a man whose lifestyle relies on a fleet of private jets and a schedule of international appearances, the revocation would be more than just a financial headache; it would be a professional paralysis.

“This isn't just about a lien on a mansion anymore,” noted a Las Vegas-based tax attorney. “When the IRS goes after the passport, they are effectively grounded. For Floyd, whose current business model is 'global exhibitionist,' this is a direct threat to his ability to earn.”

Exhibitions in Jeopardy

The timing of the IRS alert has cast a long shadow over Mayweather’s upcoming schedule. The 49-year-old was slated to face Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis in Athens on 27 June, a bout that now appears to be in significant jeopardy.

Furthermore, the long-rumoured "Battle of the Legends" exhibition against Mike Tyson, which was reportedly being eyed for a location in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is now virtually impossible unless Mayweather can settle his bill or enter an official instalment agreement within the next 30 days.

Mayweather’s Mounting Financial Hurdles

A Pattern of ‘Illiquidity’

This is far from Mayweather's first dance with the IRS. In 2017, the boxer famously petitioned the tax court for a reprieve on a $22 million debt, claiming that while he had substantial assets, they were "restricted and primarily illiquid" until his high-profile fight with Conor McGregor.

Critics and fans have taken to social media to point out the irony of the situation, given Mayweather’s penchant for posting videos of himself surrounded by millions of dollars in cash. However, industry insiders suggest that Mayweather's aggressive investments in New York and Las Vegas real estate over the past two years may have once again left him "cash poor" despite his astronomical net worth.

The Verdict

Mayweather has several paths to save his travel privileges: he can pay the debt in full, prove financial hardship, or enter a formal payment plan. However, with the IRS becoming increasingly aggressive toward high-net-worth "non-filers" in 2026, the "Pretty Boy" of boxing may find that his defensive skills are finally being outmatched by the government’s offensive.

As the clock ticks toward his June dates in Europe, the boxing world is waiting to see if Floyd can produce one more "liquidity event" to keep his passport, and his undefeated streak of dodging the taxman intact.