Lawsuit claims assault by boxer Mayweather’s bodyguards

It seems that everything Floyd Mayweather Jr. or his bodyguards touch turns into a civil lawsuit.

It's too early to know whether "Money" Mayweather will have to fork over cash to Anthony Cliff, the latest person to accuse the boxer and his bodyguards of thuggery.

In a 40-page civil complaint filed Friday in Clark County District Court, Cliff alleged that Mayweather ordered three of his bodyguards to assault him.

Cliff said he was pushed to the ground and kicked by the three men at the Palms valet entrance on May 27, 2010.

Cliff said the incident happened after he had been told not to photograph Mayweather by his bodyguards.

Cliff agreed not to photograph the former Olympic bronze medal winner and was asking about a possible fight when he was accused of "disrespecting" Mayweather, according to the lawsuit.

Mayweather then made a " 'thumbs down' sign or gesture to the bodyguards, which was a signal for the bodyguards to attack," the complaint said.

Mayweather, his companies, the unknown bodyguards and the Palms are named as defendants in the complaint.

Palms security should have been aware "of the violent and/or dangerous nature, propensities and tendencies," of the boxer and his associates, Cliff alleged in the lawsuit.

Cliff is asking for more than $10,000 in damages, the complaint showed.

Cliff's attorney, Afshin Tadayon, said Las Vegas police were called to the Palms, but Mayweather and the assailants fled before their arrival. Tadayon said he thinks there is security footage of the incident.

Mayweather, who is 41-0 as a professional, is scheduled to fight Victor Ortiz for the WBC welterweight title on Sept. 17 at the MGM Grand Garden.

The latest lawsuit adds to the growing number of legal troubles the champion boxer is facing in his hometown.

Mayweather and his companies are being sued by a bouncer at the Strip nightclub Drai's after he was assaulted, the lawsuit said, by the boxer's bodyguard Jan. 2. In a lawsuit filed in May, Clay Gerling alleged that an unknown bodyguard for Mayweather "maliciously assaulted and battered plaintiff, by grabbing the plaintiff, and choking him" after he asked for identification from Mayweather and others in his entourage.

Mayweather's attorneys have filed a motion to dismiss Gerling's lawsuit. A hearing is scheduled in that case for July 22.

In criminal court, the boxer faces two misdemeanor harassment counts after an October confrontation with Southern Highlands security guards over parking issues.

Mayweather faces a misdemeanor battery charge in connection with a Nov. 15 incident involving another guard, Shayne Smith. A bench trial in that case is set for Sept. 1.

Mayweather also faces a July 29 preliminary hearing on felony charges, including coercion, grand larceny and robbery, in connection with a Sept. 9 incident with his three children and their mother, Josie Harris. Mayweather is free on $31,000 bail in that case.

Meanwhile, boxer Manny Pacquiao, considered by many the world's best pound-for-pound fighter, is suing Mayweather over accusations that Pacquiao was using performance-enhancing drugs. The 2009 lawsuit followed talks for a fight between the two that fell apart over Mayweather's demands that both fighters submit to random blood and urine tests before the bout.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@review journal.com or 702-380-1039.