Floyd Mayweather Allegedly Pokes Security Guard in Face, Dodges Jail at Least for Now
LAS VEGAS (CBS/AP) A Las Vegas judge has agreed to let boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. remain free pending a February trial date for a misdemeanor battery complaint alleging that the boxer repeatedly poked a security guard in the face during a confrontation outside his home.
Mayweather, 33, was not present in Las Vegas Justice Court Wednesday as his lawyer, Karen Winckler, fought to keep him out of jail. Outside, Winckler said her client was out of town and denied any wrongdoing on his behalf.The flamboyant boxer was already free on $33,000 bail on unrelated felony coercion, robbery, and grand larceny charges pending a Jan. 24 court date, stemming from a September dispute with his children's mother, Josie Harris. He could face up to 34 years in prison if convicted in that case.
The misdemeanor battery accusation stems from a Nov. 15 incident over parking tickets involving the undefeated boxing champion and a 21-year-old homeowner association security guard.
Police say a "verbally abusive" Mayweather blocked the guard, Shayne Smith, from leaving a cul-de-sac, yelled that he had no business "touching his personal property," and then continuously jabbed his finger into Smith's cheek.
Police photographed what the report described as redness and discoloration under Smith's left eye. The report did not indicate whether Smith was treated by a doctor or taken to the hospital.
Mayweather has been the focus of several other police investigations in recent months, and made headlines in September with an online video rife with expletives and racial tirades against Philippine boxing rival Manny Pacquiao.
If convicted of the battery charge, Mayweather could be sentenced to six months in jail and face a $1,000 fine.