The passport restriction creates an immediate problem for Mayweather’s planned June 27 exhibition against Mike Zambidis in Greece, along with discussions around a potential September fight with Mike Tyson.
Without a valid passport, international travel becomes restricted, leaving those events in limbo and forcing promoters to reassess timelines or locations.
The situation also arrives while there have been separate talks about a possible rematch with Manny Pacquiao, adding further uncertainty to Mayweather’s exhibition schedule.
This is not the first time Mayweather has faced major tax issues, having previously dealt with high-value IRS liens across his career. The current notice, however, directly affects his ability to leave the United States, making it a more immediate obstacle than past financial disputes.
If the passport action moves forward, Mayweather’s upcoming exhibitions may need to be postponed, relocated, or canceled entirely.
It’s a rare case where business outside the ring could stop the show before it even starts.
Mayweather is no stranger to the IRS. He famously dealt with a $22 million lien following the Pacquiao fight in 2015 and a $7.2 million issue in 2010. However, those were largely collection disputes. This current move targeting his travel privileges creates a “red alert” scenario.
If his legal team cannot secure a stay or a formal payment plan quickly, we may see a shift where “Money” is forced to keep his exhibitions strictly within U.S. borders. For a fighter who has recently enjoyed the tax-free and high-guarantee environments of Dubai and Japan, that’s a significant hit to the bottom line.
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