Judge Postpones Mayweather's Jail Term to Allow Him to Fight in May

A judge in Las Vegas postponed until June 1 the start of boxing star Floyd Mayweather's 90-day jail term on a domestic violence conviction.

Justice of the Peace Melissa Saragosa granted the request from Mayweather's defense attorney, allowing the undefeated welterweight champion to go ahead with his plan to fight in Las Vegas on May 5.

Saragosa sentenced the 34-year-old Mayweather to three months in jail in late December. She said Friday that Mayweather must immediately begin the domestic violence counseling that was a part of the sentence.

The prosecution argued Mayweather should have to begin his jail term Friday at the Clark County Detention Center, as laid out in the boxer's plea agreement.

But the defense pointed to the huge economic benefits for the city when Mayweather fights.

Mayweather, who is 42-0 in his career, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of battery after an incident in September 2010 in which he attacked his ex-girlfriend in front of two of their children.

The unexpected decision will reignite boxing fans' hopes that a mega-fight between Mayweather and Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao will finally be agreed upon. The two fighters' camps have failed for the past two years to set up the long-awaited showdown.

Mayweather's team has said they want to face Pacquiao at the MGM Grand May 5, though Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, has not signed off on the proposal.

Mayweather's impending jail stint had effectively nixed the possibility of the May 5 fight, since he would not have had enough training time.