Ishé Smith, the former International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior middleweight champion, has publicly distanced himself from Floyd Mayweather Jr. following reports of fresh legal and financial scrutiny facing his former mentor.
The Las Vegas native, once a cornerstone of the “Money Team” (TMT) brand, took to social media to reflect on his own financial stability as headlines regarding Mayweather’s business dealings began to circulate on June 29, 2026.
From childhood loyalty to public fallout within the Money Team
The development marks the latest chapter in a collapsing relationship between the two men, who have known each other since childhood. Ishé Smith was the first professional world champion from Las Vegas to fight under the Mayweather Promotions banner, once promising he would always have the five-weight champion’s back.
However, after recent legal proceedings involving Floyd Mayweather Jr. and ongoing discussions about the promoter’s liquidity, Ishé Smith posted a brief, pointed four-word message: “I made smart investments.”
The history between Ishé Smith and Floyd Mayweather Jr. was once rooted in deep personal and professional loyalty. When Mayweather’s friendship with rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson famously disintegrated in 2012 over a failed $2 million promotional venture, Ishé Smith refused to take sides.
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He told World Boxing News at the time that he had known Mayweather since he was ten years old and remained fully committed to Mayweather Promotions and then-CEO Leonard Ellerbe.
This steadfast support coincided with the peak of Ishé Smith’s boxing career. In 2013, he defeated Cornelius “K9” Bundrage via majority decision to win the IBF junior middleweight title, a historic win for a Las Vegas-born fighter. Smith credited the Mayweather setup for his resurgence. But by 2022, the relationship had shifted.
Ishé Smith began questioning the environment inside TMT, alleging that the love in the camp was no longer “pure” and suggesting that Mayweather did not want his fighters to surpass his own success.
The breakdown of this bond mirrors other high-profile departures from the stable. For instance, Gervonta “Tank” Davis left Mayweather Promotions in May 2022, a move Ishé Smith admitted he found long overdue. As promotional landscapes shift, fighters often seek more autonomy, a sentiment echoed by Shakhram Giyasov accusing Rolando Romero of avoiding mandatory duties to preserve their standing within specific promotional frameworks.
The significance of Ishé Smith’s social media commentary
Ishé Smith’s recent social media post regarding his “smart investments” comes as a general assertion of his own financial health, though the timing coincides with renewed media focus on Floyd Mayweather’s assets.
While some observers have interpreted the post as a jab at Mayweather’s reported legal issues, the former champion framed it as a reflection of his own post-retirement security. Smith famously transitioned from the ring to a career as a United States Postal Service letter carrier in 2020 to ensure his family’s stability.
This transition stands in contrast to the flashy, cash-heavy “Money” persona that Floyd Mayweather Jr. has cultivated for decades. While Mayweather continues to participate in high-profile exhibitions, Ishé Smith—inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame in 2024—has prioritized a more conventional financial path.
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This divergence in lifestyle has fueled ongoing debates in the boxing community about the long-term viability of the TMT business model for its supporting cast of fighters.
The scrutiny on Mayweather’s finances is not new, but it has intensified as key pillars of his empire change. Mayweather’s NASCAR venture, originally The Money Team Racing, was rebranded to Team AmeriVet in May 2024, with reports indicating Mayweather is no longer involved.
Such shifts often lead to questions about the longevity of a fighter’s brand, much like how Terence Crawford has weighed in on Canelo Alvarez’s retirement strategy and the importance of timing an exit from the sport.
Navigating a new era for Mayweather Promotions
The departure of longtime CEO Leonard Ellerbe in June 2024, replaced by Richard Schaefer, signaled a significant management overhaul for Mayweather Promotions. With the loss of its biggest active star, Gervonta Davis, the company is tasked with rebuilding its roster under a new philosophy.
For Ishé Smith, the decision to separate from this circle appears final, as he continues to highlight the personal growth he found after leaving the “Money” umbrella.
The boxing world remains fascinated by the intelligence required to navigate both the ring and the business of the sport. Legendary figures like the great Roberto Duran previously identified Ken Buchanan as his most astute opponent, emphasizing that ring IQ is only one part of the equation.
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Ishé Smith’s recent comments suggest that for the modern fighter, the smartest move may be the one that secures life after the final bell.
As Floyd Mayweather Jr. deals with the fallout from recent legal headlines, the list of former allies keeping their distance continues to grow. For Ishé Smith, the narrative is no longer about his loyalty to a mentor, but about the success he found through independent decisions.
Whether this serves as a warning to younger fighters or simply a personal milestone, the “Sugar Shay” era has moved firmly into a chapter of self-reliance and financial prudence.
