Floyd Mayweather Jr. -- Surprises Protege With Brand New Whip

Life's good when you're on The Money Team ... 'cause one of Floyd Mayweather's proteges tells TMZ Sports the boxing champ hooked him up with a brand spanking new ride worth over $30k!

Okay, it's not a Bugatti or a Ferrari, but Ashley Theophane -- who's 38-6 -- ain't complaining. Theophane tells us he was chillin' at home when Floyd called and said meet him at a dealership.

When he arrived Floyd handed him the keys to a fully loaded 2015 Chrysler 300. Theophane says he needed a car, but had no idea his mentor was hooking it up like this.

AT says it's Floyd's way of showing him love for winning 5 straight fights. He added, "Floyd makes so much money. He likes to take care of his team."

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