Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, considered one of the most prominent pro-Israel voices in the sports world, has filed a massive lawsuit against Orthodox businessman Jonah Rechnitz, alleging he ran a years-long fraud scheme involving cash, real estate, a private jet, and luxury jewelry. Rechnitz, seen as the figure who connected Mayweather to Israel and Jewish charities, denies the allegations and claims the lawsuit is baseless.
The former world champion filed the extraordinary lawsuit in Manhattan court against his former investment manager and confidant, alleging Rechnitz stole an estimated $175 million from him over the years.
According to the complaint, Rechnitz, an American Orthodox Jew, exploited the trust the boxer placed in him and transferred assets, cash, and valuable property to himself and his associates. Among other things, the suit alleges Rechnitz took control of real estate investments, executed fictitious deals, used Mayweather’s luxury jewelry as collateral for loans, and even sold the boxing star’s private jet without his knowledge.
Mayweather’s attorney, Leo Jacobs, sharply attacked Rechnitz, saying “the gloves are off.” According to him, the purpose of the legal action is “to return to Mr. Mayweather what rightfully belongs to him.” Rechnitz’s lawyer, Maurice Masri, completely rejected the allegations and claimed it’s an attempt to deflect attention from the boxer’s own financial conduct.
The relationship between the two began to strengthen in 2022, when Mayweather came to Israel for a visit. During that visit he toured Jerusalem, visited the Aish HaTorah yeshiva near the Western Wall, and met with prominent figures in Israel. Rechnitz was the man who brokered connections between Mayweather and Israeli rescue organizations, including United Hatzalah and Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical service.
After the October 7 attack, Mayweather became one of the most prominent pro-Israel voices in American sports. Through Rechnitz’s mediation, he participated in Israel solidarity events, donated money, and even enlisted in humanitarian aid operations. One of the most memorable moves was sending his private Gulfstream jet to Israel loaded with more than two tons of emergency equipment and supplies.
But now Mayweather claims that very jet was sold behind his back. According to the complaint, Rechnitz convinced him to sign sale documents with key details missing, then used the proceeds to cover debts and loans related to his private businesses and associates.
The lawsuit details a series of additional transactions allegedly carried out without the boxer’s knowledge. One involves the transfer of $7.5 million to an investment company in Florida for a venture that yielded no profit. Another case concerns Mayweather’s luxury jewelry and watches, valued at an estimated nearly $100 million, which according to the claim were transferred to jewelry dealers in Miami as collateral for a loan of just $13 million.
Real estate is also at the center of the affair. Mayweather claims he was presented with a false picture regarding the purchase of a massive portfolio of about 1,000 apartments in Manhattan. According to him, he believed he held broad ownership in the project, but later discovered his stake was much smaller. Additionally, it’s alleged that millions of dollars from settlement funds and loans were transferred to companies connected to Rechnitz and his associates.