Floyd Mayweather Sued by “Miss Jackson” for Domestic Violence and Other Charges

By Bryanna Fissori
Legal Analyst

No stranger to domestic violence charges, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has just been served with a lawsuit by ex-fiancée Shantel Jackson. The case was filed on Thursday in Los Angeles County Court stating multiple causes of action, including a number of assaults by the boxer, one of which was at gunpoint. The announcement comes just over a week before Mayweather vs Maidana II, scheduled for September 13.

Floyd Mayweather & Miss Jackson in happier times

According to the claim, the assaults occurred over an 18-month span between 2012-14. Other allegations include battery, civil harassment, defamation and false imprisonment. The first supposed assault occurred shortly after Mayweather’s release from jail in August 2012 after a similar conviction involving Josie Harris, who is the mother of three of the boxer’s four children.

Assault and Battery

The abuse began in 2012 when Mayweather reportedly twisted Jackson’s arm and choked her. He then proceeded to search through her phone without her permission. The assaults escalated in April 2013 when the boxer instructed her at gunpoint, to remove her 17-carat diamond engagement ring. He also threatened to shoot her in the foot, asking which toe she would like him to shoot. The events involving physical force and the threat of harm make up the causes of action for assault and battery, and assault with a deadly weapon carries a heavier penalty in virtually all jurisdictions.

False Imprisonment

During this same 2013 event Mayweather prohibited Jackson from leaving his Las Vegas home, where they both resided, without one of his employees accompanying her. Jackson claims that a similar incident occurred in February of this year when Mayweather refused to allow her to leave his Los Angeles home and held her forcibly against her will. The incidences where Jackson was forced to remain in the home against her will, may achieve the standard for false imprisonment.

Defamation and Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

After their breakup Jackson supposedly had a private abortion, which was made maliciously public by Mayweather. This included a sonogram, which Mayweather posted on his facebook stating that he was “against killing babies.” This event took place in May, just after Mayweather’s win over Marcos Maidana. Jackson also claims that the boxer threatened to release nude photos of her after their breakup. He did post intentionally unflattering photos of Jackson on Instagram.

History of Domestic Violence/Civil Harassment

This most recent lawsuit follows on the heels of a number of others spanning over a decade, and including multiple convictions.

1. In October 2001 Mayweather was accused of assault on Melissa Brim who is the mother of his daughter Ayanna. According to Brim, they got into an argument over child support and he struck her in the face with a car door, pushed her into the car and punched her. A similar offense happened in March 2002, when the boxer punched the same woman in the neck and fled before police could arrive. He pleaded guilty to both counts.

2. In August 2003 at a nightclub, Mayweather encountered Hernetha McGill and Karra Blackburn who were friends of Josie Harris. He reportedly punched McGill in the jaw and Blackburn in the head. He then picked up a female security guard who was responding to the situation and shook her. Issued a citation for the incident with the security guard and found guilty of two counts of battery against McGill and Blackburn.

3. The next official charge was filed for the Josie Harris event in September of 2010, when he beat and kicked Harris as she lay on the ground and also threated their two children, one of which was able to escape and call the police. He only served two months before being released for good behavior.

What Miss Jackson Wants

Jackson made a public statement along side her attorney Gloria Allred, regarding the lawsuit in which she said, “I loved Floyd deeply, but he continued to disappoint and intentionally hurt me. … I have been embarrassed and humiliated more than I can ever imagine by Floyd, whom I once called my best friend and fiancée. It was with a heavy heart that I finally realized the only way to set the record straight and achieve justice for what he has done to me, is filing this lawsuit.”

The specific damages sought were not reviled, though Mayweather was listed by Forbes last year as the highest paid athlete in the world. His 2013 earnings were reportedly over $105 million. The lawsuit will certainly keep Jackson occupied though she is also slated to join her current boyfriend, rapper Nelly on a reality television show.

It does not appear that the lawsuit will have any legal or logistical effect on Mayweather’s rematch with Marcos Maidana on September 13th, though recently Floyd Mayweather Sr. told the Times that something was bothering his son the week of his first bout with Maidana in May. This was just before Mayweather posted the infamous sonogram photo, thus the timing of the suit could be intentional on the part of Jackson.