By Lem Satterfield

HBO's President of Sports Ross Greenburg expressed optimism that six-time champion, Floyd Mayweather, might overcome his legal troubles and make a successful return to boxing. Mayweather stands accused of hitting and threatening his ex-girlfriend, Josie Harris, stealing her cell phone and threatening their 10- and 9-year-old sons if they called 911 during an argument at the woman's home last September.

Mayweather could face up to 34 years in state prison if he is convicted of all charges, including felony grand larceny, coercion and robbery. He also faces one misdemeanor domestic battery and three misdemeanor harassment charges.

"I think Floyd Mayweather is a charismatic personality in and out of the ring. He has some issues, and when he gets them resolved, I hope that he comes back to boxing," said Greenburg. "Floyd Mayweather spent a lot of years on the straight and narrow. Floyd has shown that he can conduct himself well, and he really has for a long time."

Since his arrest in that case, Mayweather also spent a night in the county jail on a misdemeanor battery charge stemming from an allegation that he poked a homeowner association security guard in the face during an argument about parking outside Mayweather's home. That case is pending.

"Let's give him the benefit of the doubt," said Greenburg. "Hopefully, after this resolves itself, he can move on and become the Floyd Mayweather that he was from 2000 to 2010. This is a special, gifted athlete who jumped through the screen on 24/7 and continues to mesmerize the American public both in and out of the ring. This is a major force in boxing that we need. And we're looking forward to the day that he steps back in."

Lem Satterfield is the boxing editor at AOL FanHouse and the news editor at BoxingScene.com. To read more from Lem Satterfield, go to AOL FanHouse by Clicking Here.