Mayweather arrested in domestic violence case

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, AFP - Fighter Floyd Mayweather jnr was arrested on Friday on a theft charge stemming from a domestic violence complaint by his former girlfriend, Las Vegas police said.

Mayweather's lawyer, Richard Wright, said Mayweather is accused of taking an iPhone from Josie Harris, his former girlfriend and the mother of three of his children. Wright denied the allegations against the fighter and said Mayweather surrendered to authorities and would cooperate in the investigation.

Mayweather was booked on a grand larceny charge at the Clark County jail according to Las Vegas Police Officer Bill Cassell. He was later released on 3,000 dollars bail, the 33-year-old boxer declining to comment as he departed.

Mayweather could face up to five years in state prison if he is convicted of taking items valued at less than 2,500 dollars. He is scheduled for an initial court appearance on November 9. On Thursday, Harris made a police complaint and sought a Family Court protection order claiming Mayweather pulled her hair, punched her in the head and twisted her arm while she screamed for their children, who range in age from seven to 10 years old, to call 911. Police said Thursday that Harris was treated at a Las Vegas hospital for minor injuries.

"Please order Floyd Mayweather to not try and contact me," Harris wrote in an application for a protection order that said the couple separated in May after living together for seven years.