Judge denies restraining order sought by Floyd Mayweather Sr.

Floyd Mayweather Sr. and his former publicist duked it out in two separate courtrooms Thursday, but no clear winner emerged in their ongoing legal battle.

After hearing testimony from both parties, District Judge Joanna Kishner denied Mayweather's request for a temporary restraining order against Ann Barlow, his former publicist. The judge said Mayweather failed to show that Barlow's conduct would cause him "irreparable harm."

Barlow later told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that truth had prevailed during the hearing. She called Mayweather's allegations "frivolous and malicious."

"I have to give God glory, because I came there by myself, but I was not by myself," she said.

Mayweather, father of champion boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., sought the restraining order in connection with a lawsuit he filed against Barlow on Sept. 25 in Clark County District Court.

He claimed Barlow had tricked him into signing a contract for public relations consulting after agreeing to help him set up a nonprofit corporation. He also claimed she drained more than $13,000 from the corporation's bank account.

Much of Thursday's testimony focused on a Sept. 17 incident in which Barlow was accused of photographing Mayweather at a Las Vegas nightclub, even after he asked her to stop.

Benjamin Childs, one of Mayweather's lawyers, specifically asked Kishner to restrain Barlow from using Mayweather's images.

Later Thursday, the parties attended a hearing in Las Vegas Justice Court, where Mayweather sought a temporary protective order. Justice Court issues such orders against stalking and harassment.

Both hearings took place in the Regional Justice Center in downtown Las Vegas.

Justice of the Peace Melissa Saragosa disclosed at the start of the second hearing that she previously handled a domestic violence case involving Mayweather's son. Mayweather said he did not object to Saragosa proceeding with his request for a protective order.

During the hearing, Mayweather told the judge that Barlow "can't be trusted."

"She's real slick," he said.

Mayweather described the Sept. 17 incident involving Barlow and acknowledged that people often photograph him.

Saragosa asked Mayweather, a trainer and former professional boxer, whether Barlow's conduct that night caused him concern for his safety.

"No," he replied.

Barlow later testified that Mayweather confronted her that night and asked what she was doing.

"I was the one actually who was intimidated," she said.

She said that was the last time she had any contact with him.

Childs later expressed his concern that Mayweather, with his experience as a boxer, "can cause some real damage" if provoked.

"Of course it's up to him to control that," the lawyer added.

Saragosa said the Sept. 17 incident was the "most concerning," but she opted to postpone ruling on the application for a protective order.

"Obviously, Mr. Mayweather is a public figure, so there's less privacy, if you will, because of his public figure status," she said. "But more importantly, Mr. Mayweather didn't feel threatened by it. Annoyed by it, for sure, and irritated."

The judge instead issued a "verbal order from the bench" that prohibits Barlow from having any contact with Mayweather for the next 60 days.

"You are not to take any additional photographs, nor act in any publicity capacity for Mr. Mayweather from this point forward," Saragosa said.

According to evidence presented Thursday, Mayweather signed a contract with Barlow around June 24.

Barlow said she helped Mayweather create the Floyd Joy Mayweather Foundation and planned a Sept. 11 launch event, but Mayweather failed to show up. She said the money in the foundation's bank account came from sponsors, and she used it to pay for the event, not for "personal endeavors."

Contact reporter Carri Geer Thevenot at cgeer@reviewjournal.com or 702-384-8710. Find her on Twitter: @CarriGeer