The sons of former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman have sued Floyd Mayweather Jr., Mayweather Promotions and Showtime in Clark County District Court regarding sparring sessions at Mayweather’s gym that were a part of the “All Access” series.
Hasim Rahman Jr., 23, and Sharif Rahman, 18, sued for battery, tortious assault, false imprisonment, negligent hiring, training, supervision and retention and unjust enrichment. Neither Rahman has fought professionally, though Rahman Jr. is scheduled to turn professional on Nov. 13.
The Rahman brothers both sparred British boxer Donovan Cameron at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas during Episode 2 of Showtime’s “All Access” series that was broadcast on Sept. 6 and designed to promote Mayweather’s rematch on Sept. 13 against Marcos Maidana.
Mayweather referred to the gym as the “dog house” on the episode.
“Guys fight to the death,” a grinning Mayweather says during the Sept. 6 episode. “It’s not right, but it’s dog house rules.”
But Mayweather testified in front of the Nevada Athletic Commission on Sept. 23 that much of what was shown during the “All Access” series was false, made up to help boost pay-per-view sales.
The commission subpoenaed Mayweather to appear after Showtime aired footage of what was alleged to be a continuous 31-minute round. Mayweather told the commission there were numerous breaks in the 31-minute round, though he was not put under oath facing penalty of perjury that day.
The Rahmans’ suit, though, disputes that and alleges there was indeed a 31-minute sparring session. There are numerous video interviews with Rahman Jr. on YouTube and other Internet sites in which Rahman Jr. insists he sparred 31 minutes continuously against Cameron.
The suit also accuses the Mayweather Boxing Club of not having the proper license to allow amateurs to spar.
“Defendant Mayweather knowingly misrepresented facts while testifying before the Nevada State Athletic Commission,” the suit reads. “Defendant Mayweather falsely testified that Hasim’s 31-minute fight did not happen as aired, and that the fighters took several breaks. Defendant Mayweather also testified to the effect that the ‘All Access’ program is heavily edited to show footage the way he and Showtime want.”
Vicki Greco, the Rahmans’ attorney, declined to discuss the suit with Yahoo Sports.
“We’re in the middle of a litigation and at this point, we have no comment,” she said. “That’s not to say that at some point in the future that that may not change, but now, we have no comment.”
Shane Emerick, Mayweather’s attorney, didn’t return a telephone message seeking comment. Showtime spokesman Chris DeBlasio said the company has not seen the lawsuit and declined comment.
