Earn Your Leisure: Floyd Mayweather on Gervonta Davis Leaving Mayweather Promotions

Podcast: Earn Your Leisure
Hosts: Rashad Bilal, Troy Millings
Guest: Floyd Mayweather
Date: December 29, 2025

Episode Overview

In this candid interview, Floyd Mayweather sits down with the Earn Your Leisure team to discuss business beyond the boxing ring, the importance of mentorship and relationships, and the high-profile transition of Gervonta “Tank” Davis away from Mayweather Promotions. Mayweather opens up about his business ethos, lessons from influential mentors, the struggles and pride of building a diverse team, and his perspective on seeing protégés like Davis move on. The conversation blends personal reflection with practical insight for entrepreneurs and athletes aspiring to shape their own legacy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Mayweather's Approach to Business and Success

• On Self-Belief and Ambition:

  • Mayweather emphasizes the power of determination.
    • “Whatever I put my mind to do, I can do.” (03:18 – Floyd Mayweather)

• Unexpected Growth:

  • Shares an anecdote about never imagining he’d become a skyscraper owner:
    • “When I was walking in New York as a kid… did I ever think I was going to own a skyscraper? I didn’t think about it, but now I do own nine.” (03:33 – Floyd Mayweather)

• Learning from Mentors:

  • Mayweather describes the impact of his mentors, including Leonard Ellerbe, Vince McMahon, Roy Disney (Walt Disney World), Robert Smith (richest Black man in America), Mark Holiday (SL Green), and Al Haymon.
  • Focuses on the value of relationships, not just money:
    • “I’ve dealt with millions… and billions of dollars. It’s about building relationships.” (04:21 – Floyd Mayweather)

• Wealth vs. Riches:

  • Offers a lesson on financial acumen:
    • “You’re rich, you’re not wealthy, because rich is when you got it for a short period of time. Wealth is long term.” (04:48 – Floyd Mayweather)

Business Strategy and Team Building

• The Chess of Business:

  • On why he surrounds himself with intelligent advisors:
    • “I don’t want to be the only smart person with my team. It’s chess. Real life chess.” (05:26 – Floyd Mayweather)

• Aspiration to Own an NBA Team:

  • Reveals ongoing efforts to acquire majority ownership of an NBA franchise (possibly in Vegas or Seattle):
    • “The first offer, we offered them a little bit over $2 billion for majority ownership. Do I have it? Absolutely, I have it.” (06:21 – Floyd Mayweather)

• Grind Behind the Scenes:

  • Acknowledges the challenges and scale of managing businesses globally.
    • “It didn’t happen overnight... It’s a lot when you have so many businesses all around the world.” (06:40 – Floyd Mayweather)

• Perceptions in Business Meetings:

  • On being taken seriously as a businessman, not just a boxer:
    • “I had to be somewhat intelligent and smart to be able to make $100 million and $300 million… I’m still going out there picking up $20 and $30 million for 15 minutes, and 20 minutes.” (07:15 – Floyd Mayweather)

Building and Leading an Inclusive Team

• Empowering Black Excellence:
  • Mayweather is noted for assembling a largely Black leadership team, compared to the praise often given to athletes like LeBron James.
  • His approach to team diversity:
    • “Of course, I’m going to always love my people first… But far as my team, it just ended up, you know, my team, we would. I have a real diverse team... when it comes to business, I do business with everyone. Honestly speaking.” (14:32-15:27 – Floyd Mayweather)

On Using Criticism as Motivation

• Handling Negative Energy and Haters:
  • Mayweather reflects on using criticism as fuel but warns of its dangers:
    • “A lot of times when people…don’t really like when you continue to be successful…it works both ways...” (15:55 – Floyd Mayweather)
  • On modeling resilience for his children—teaching them to respond, not initiate conflict.

Floyd Mayweather on Gervonta “Tank” Davis Leaving Mayweather Promotions

• Mentoring Davis, Letting Him Go:
  • Mayweather speaks on nurturing Gervonta Davis from a young age, helping him become a multi-millionaire and world champion:
    • “There’s nothing like taking a kid that come from the same background as you and helping them become a multi millionaire.” (18:04 – Floyd Mayweather)
  • Highlights his philosophy of letting protégés grow:
    • “If he feels like his wings… he’s grew wings where he can fly and become his own boss, more power to him.” (18:36 – Floyd Mayweather)
  • Takes pride in seeing his mentees surpass him:
    • “If he feels like he can surpass Floyd Mayweather or be the next Floyd Mayweather, I’m here to push you. Go for it.” (19:00 – Floyd Mayweather)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mayweather on Outgrowing Mentors:
  • “If he feels like… he’s grew wings where he can fly and become his own boss, more power to him.” (18:36 – Floyd Mayweather)
• On Generational Thinking in Business:
  • “In business, I got to think about my family first. I got to think about my grandson, my daughter… my two daughters, my two sons...” (14:54 – Floyd Mayweather)
• On Wealth & Legacy:
  • “Rich is when you got it for a short period of time. Wealth is long term.” (04:48 – Floyd Mayweather)
• Self-Reflection on Criticism:
  • “I was always the reaction. I wasn’t the action… I got to teach my… my children and my family how to defend themselves, not just in the ring.” (15:55 – Floyd Mayweather)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Mentorship, Owning Skyscrapers, Business Philosophy: (03:18–04:48)
• Team Building, NBA Team Ambitions: (05:26–07:15)
• Diversity and Leadership in Mayweather’s Team: (14:06–15:27)
• Handling Haters, Using Criticism as Motivation: (15:28–17:04)
• On Gervonta Davis Leaving Mayweather Promotions: (18:04–19:13)

Episode Tone and Takeaway

The discussion is upbeat, candid, and highly motivational, blending Mayweather’s signature bravado with moments of humble reflection. He shares lessons in business acumen, loyalty, and growth but makes clear that the ultimate legacy is helping others rise—whether they stay or move on. For athletes, entrepreneurs, and fans, the episode serves as a masterclass in turning hustle into generational wealth and impact.