American boxer Floyd Mayweather has been hit with criminal charges for issuing a bounced $200,000 cheque to purchase an Audemars Piguet watch from the Las Vegas-based Gold and Beyond outlet in 2024.

The boxer is accused of “theft, value $100,000 or greater” and “drawing or passing a cheque with intent to defraud, value $1,200 or greater”.

Clark County prosecutors filed a criminal complaint and obtained a court order compelling Mr Mayweather to appear before a judge.

The celebrity boxer, who was not in court, was represented by his attorney.

The owners of Gold and Beyond had reportedly reached out to Mayweather regarding the Wells Fargo cheque he issued for the luxury watch, which bounced due to insufficient funds.

Though the boutique owners sent the boxer a certified demand letter to keep the matter out of the public eye, Mayweather reportedly ignored it, prompting legal action to recover the funds one year after the cheque bounced.

If found guilty, Mayweather could face up to four years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, and restitution costs.

He could also face more severe penalties, including up to 20 years in prison and a potential fine of about $15,000 for the felony theft charge.