It?s been there for a long time ? an ugly history of abuse without major consequence.
It came up in 2007 when he was a celebrity endorser of Barack Obama?s candidacy for president.
It came up in 2010 when he was arrested and accused of beating a woman and threatening the children they had together.
It came up again in 2012 when he went to jail.
And in 2014, it?s come up again.
Floyd Mayweather, if his accusers are to be believed, is a serial batterer of women. His bank account hasn?t suffered at all, and any reputation as a woman-beater has been completely overshadowed by his in-ring performance.
Blinded by his greatness in the ring, a sport and business that desperately needs him, we?ve barely noticed.
But in the aftermath of a week where America opened its eyes wide to the horror of abuse, Mayweather?s past is finally getting the attention it deserves.
Earlier this summer, Deadspin published a damning piece on Mayweather?s problematic history. The story detailed a history of violence that spans over a decade.
Mayweather has either been cited or arrested for seven incidents with five female victims.
He?s pled guilty twice and been convicted once, though the verdict was later vacated and the charges eventually dismissed.
The most notable incident happened in 2010, when an argument with Josie Harris, with whom he has children, erupted into violence. Harris was punched repeatedly in the back of the head. He also threatened Harris and their children, who witnessed the attack, according to the arrest report.
Facing a possible 34 years in jail, Mayweather pled guilty to lesser charges and served 60 days of a 90-day sentence.
Despite the pleading, Mayweather has maintained his innocence.
This week he noted how no woman has ever been photographed with bumps or bruises. In an interview with Yahoo in 2013, Harris said she received multiple punches to the back of her head from Mayweather ? something she said she thought was intentional to hide the signs of abuse.
