Boxing Champ Floyd Mayweather Is About To Make Some Good Money With His Latest Venture

BOXING CHAMPION FLOYD MAYWEATHER IS READY TO MAKE SOME GOOD MONEY WITH HIS NEWEST ENDEAVOR: THE LAUNCH OF GOOD MONEY WHISKY AND LE BON ARGENT CHAMPAGNE

BY LAURA SCHREFFLER
PHOTOGRAPHY ROBERT JOHN KLEY

Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s gloves are off and his sleeved are rolled up. The undefeated professional boxer is throwing his weight behind a new kind of business these days: the spirits business.

Late last year, the 47-year-old debuted his Good Money whisky range and champagne brand, Le Bon Argent. The former collection comprises two Canadian whiskies: a five-year-old blended, which has notes of caramelized apple, tropical fruits, and a touch of spice, and a 10-year-old rye, which has a complex palette of butterscotch, spice, and vanilla, with a citrus finish. Meanwhile, Le Bon Argent (which literally translates to “Good Money” in French), from the Epernay and Les Riceys regions of Champagne, also currently features three iterations. Its traditional brut is refershingly light and toasty with a slight hint of snappy acidity, layered with crisp textures of white cherries, green apples, and notes of lemon and vanilla. Meanwhile, its premium brut is an elegant, feisty, and crisp torrent of green apple, lemon, and grapefruit with additional flavors of brioche, toast, and talc, made of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes. Last but not least, fresh strawberries, raspberries, talc, savory herbs, and violets carefully framed around delicate notes of cream result in the crisp acidity, silky mousse, and long finish of its rosé. 

But that’s not all Mayweather has on his plate — or palette. The boxer, who formally retired in 2017 with an undefeated record that includes 15 major world titles and the lineal championship in four different weight classes, the bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics, three Golden Glove titles, and the US national title at featherweight, as well as a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame, is returning to the ring this month for a rematch against John Gotti III in Mexico City. Given that Mayweather is one of the most lucrative pay-per-view attractions in history, it should be one to watch.

We sat down with Mayweather ahead of his bout to talk about life lately, his spirited new venture, and why he isn’t worried one little bit about his rematch with Gotti.

What made you decide to launch both a whisky and a champagne brand?
I’m all about growth, and I know that the alcohol industry is something that will be around long after I’m gone — and I’m continuing to build generational wealth. My business partners, James McNair and Renee Esebag, came to the table with a brilliant game plan, and I pushed the button and said let’s do it. I know our brands will be a game changer. We’re not doing another celebrity brand. I’m giving the consumers a top shelf, highly rated product that’s competitive in price. Product and packaging matter. The quality of Le Bon Argent champagne and Good Money whisky is a reflection of me and my team.

Why Canadian whisky, specifically?
Good Money management and my team looked at several areas and focused on US market size and market growth: basically, consumer demand. We simply didn’t want to be like anyone else and another Kentucky bourbon out there. I think outside the box, and that’s why my career went the way that it did. As an entrepreneur and promoter, I also looked at the numbers. The Canadian whisky category is a six-billion-dollar market in US. I saw the opportunity for growth for consumers in trying something different that’s not over-saturated such as the American, Irish, or bourbons whiskies. Good Money management found the right manufacturing partners to collaborate with. They understood our vision and my commitment to delivering a product that was smooth and a fair price. Again, the product has to sell on its own. That’s the key with our clients as well as our distributor, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.

How did the Good Money launches come to be? Walk us through how and why you decided to launch, why now, and why a Canadian whisky specifically, as well as a champagne?
Again, it starts with having a great team around me; building an empire together — as I can’t do it alone. I have the best distribution partners in Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. I’m grateful for everyone on my team and I want to just say, thank you; I appreciate you. Our Good Money management team has truly laid the foundations to build upon: we launched in 10 states in eight months, and as we scale and grow the brand and business, I’m getting to know my fans and core customers. There’s a lot of vodka and tequila on the market. Champagne is all about celebrating life moments, big or small. The whisky is all about giving people something that goes great with steaks, or cigars, or just [having] a nice drink to relax with at the end of the day.

How far will you go to promote the brands? Where do you plan on taking them?
Anything that I’m involved in, I’m hands-on with. I’m self-made. I’m not saying I didn’t have a great team with me, but that I didn’t have a huge brand like Nike behind me. I branded myself and also TMT. I know what it takes to get things to that next level. I support our brand and customers with bottle signings, distribution launches, and meet and greets in each state we launch in. You will see that Good Money whisky and Le Bon Argent will soon be global brands.

You’ve been promoting the brands quite heavily thus far in Las Vegas. Why Vegas?
Well, I live in Las Vegas, and it’s also the entertainment capital of the world. Before anyone becomes huge, it usually starts with where they are from. So, when the world sees the support from our own people, the rest will follow. Las Vegas has supported me for many years, and alcohol sells crazy numbers every year [here].

What are some of the spots in Vegas that you correlate with a
“luxury lifestyle”?
The Girl Collection of course. There are also several different night clubs and restaurants that fit the luxury of our brands [like] Eight Cigar Lounge in Resorts World, Clique Bar & Lounge in The Cosmopolitan, and [off-Strip spots like] Jing and Primal Steakhouse. Vegas in itself embraces luxury.

What are some of the ways you live a luxury lifestyle? Cars, planes, watches, fashion, etc.?
I’ve been living a luxury lifestyle for almost 30 years. I was young with fly clothes and cars and a bunch of houses and jewelry. I’m known to live a flashy lifestyle at the pinnacle [of my fame], so people expect nothing but the best from me.

The one thing I hear from many celebrity liquor brand owners is that they didn’t realize how much work it would be, how much blood, sweat, and tears it would take. These are not unfamiliar concepts for you. Are you ready? Were you aware of the amount of work it would take?
I’m no stranger to hard work and dedication. We are a new brand, and I know it takes a lot to make this grow. It’s going to require a lot of traveling, touching the people, and marketing. I will continue to do what’s needed to take our brand to the next level.

After a bout in the past, how did you celebrate?
I would get together with my friends and family and just be around love. When I was competing at a high level, a lot of hard work went into training camp. I don’t drink, but a lot of people around me do, so just seeing them have a good time made me happy.  I’ve always provided the drinks and entertainment then, and the only difference now is that we celebrate together with my own brands.

Are you planning on celebrating post-bout in Mexico? If so, how?
I’m pretty sure my team and I will find something to do. We are for sure going to pop some Le Bon Argent and Good Money whisky.

What are your thoughts on this bout against John Gotti III? Are you nervous? Are you ready? How have you been preparing?
I’ve been here before [and I’m not] really giving it much thought. This is what I do. I’m going to have fun and entertain the people in Mexico and put on a great show.

Is winning the only option? If so, why?
I’ve worked extremely hard for the past 40 years, so winning is the only option. It’s Olympic time, and when I didn’t win the gold medal when I competed, I told myself I would never feel that way again.

In life, what do you see as your greatest challenge?
My greatest challenge would be making sure that all my brands are successful, that the people around me are entrepreneurs, and that my children and grandson are doing the right thing.

What do you feel has been your greatest achievement?
[There are] too many to count. Family matters. Building a Legacy. Creating generational wealth. Obviously, being 50-0. I could go on. I’m happy I made it, I’m happy I got out of the boxing game healthy, and I’m happy I’am living life to the fullest.

To you, what is the greatest luxury in life and why?
One of the two greatest luxuries in life is health. I continue to say it. Your health is your wealth and too many people take it for granted. The other luxury would be family: I love my children and grandson and that’s who I do everything for.

What is the greatest compliment anyone could pay you and why?
That I am a great person. Not the boxer, not the businessman. My heart is always in the right place, and I’ve done so many unbelievable things that don’t get recognized because of what I’m portrayed to be.

MEET THE GOOD MONEY TEAM

RENEE ESEBAG

Known for her ability to create meaningful branding and licensing strategies for her clients, Renee Esebag started her career as a model. After taking her penchant for business off the proverbial runway, she was able to parlay her savvy into forming a presence into the beverage and spirits industry in 2014. With over ten years of experience, she has built strong relationships working with distributors and suppliers. within the industry.  As a self-made entrepreneur, in 2022 she found success in becoming the COO and founding partner of Good Money LLC. She has been the driving force behind the brand by securing exclusive distributorship with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.

JAMES MCNAIR

As a trusted advisor to Mayweather Jr., James “P-Reala” McNair has been instrumental in shaping one of the most recognizable personal brands in sports.  He currently is a minority shareholder in Good Money LLC. With over a decade of experience in brand consulting and business management, McNair co-founded The Money Team with Mayweather in 2011. This global sports, entertainment, apparel, and lifestyle company has become a powerhouse, empowering individuals to seize opportunities in today’s marketplace. McNair holds several key titles, including CEO of High Roller Ent., CEO of P-Reala ProMotions, and President of TMT. His influence reaches across various sectors, including NASCAR, where he is a co-owner of TMT Racing; he is also a consultant for the Betify gaming app and responsible for collaborations with major media companies such as HBO, BET, Showtime, and CBS.