Mayweather granted promoter’s license in Nevada by 5-0 vote

Floyd Mayweather Jr. no longer needs to depend on anyone else to fight in Nevada.

On Wednesday, the Nevada Athletic Commission unanimously approved Mayweather’s application to hold a promoter’s license in the state. By getting his license, Mayweather can be his own promoter of record.

He had been promoted by Top Rank, and since 2007, Golden Boy Promotions has helped promote his fights at the MGM Grand Garden, including his Sept. 13 rematch with Marcos Maidana.

“Everything is timing,” said Mayweather, the undefeated world welterweight boxing champion, after the 5-0 vote. “I could’ve gotten my (promoter’s) license a long time ago. But we didn’t want to rush. We wanted to wait until the time was right, and the time is now.”

Mayweather, 37, also has a promoter’s license in Washington and New York. Leonard Ellerbe, the chief executive officer of Mayweather Promotions, said the plan is to continue to seek licenses in other states.

“This was big,” Ellerbe said. “Nevada is home to Floyd. This is where he does his business. So to be able to promote in Nevada is huge for Mayweather Promotions. We know what it takes to be successful, from the bottom to the top. We have a great team, and we’re going to continue to grow the sport of boxing “

The commission usually finds issues with applications for a promoter’s license, whether it’s financial or personal. In Mayweather’s case, there were no questions as to his ability to financially support a fight card in Nevada, and the NAC, which was well versed in Mayweather’s personal and professional background, had only praise for the fighter and his application.

Commissioner Anthony Marnell III asked Mayweather whether he would make himself available in his role of promoter with the commission if needed. Mayweather said: “Absolutely. If I’m not, someone from my staff will always be there. Leonard handles the day-to-day operations, and we’ll always make ourselves available to the commission.”

Mayweather also said he has no plans to manage his fighters. That would be in violation of the federal “Muhammad Ali Boxing Act,” which prohibits promoters from managing their fighters.

“We’re going to lead by example as promoters,” Ellerbe told the commission.

Mayweather has embraced social media the past few years, breaking news on various platforms and selling his fights while controlling his message. It has helped make him the world’s richest athlete and boxing’s biggest draw.

As a promoter, he would do the same thing.

“The outlets are totally different now from when I started out,” Mayweather said. “We’re building a fight at such a high level. It’s not just about attracting boxing fans. It’s about everyone. It’s being positive and working with a strong team. If we’re working together, hand in hand, we can do record-breaking numbers in the future.”

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.