Floyd Mayweather, one of the world’s most recognisable sportsmen, turns 41 on Saturday. The now-retired boxer, who’s record stands at an incredible 50-0, has turned his hand to promoting the sport as well as owning other business ventures.
He held multiple world titles in five different weight classes and won a bronze medal in the 1996 Olympics and is the most decorated boxer of all time. On top of that, he topped the Forbes and Sports Illustrated lists of the 50 highest-paid athletes of 2012 and 2013. He has generated over 23 million PPV buys in his career, making $1.67 billion, surpassing all others, including Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and Manny Pacquiao.
As “Money” turns 41 in what is sure to be a no-expense-spared celebration, we’ve picked out the five biggest moments of his career.
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Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao
Billed as the Fight of the Century, the battle between Mayweather and Pacquiao finally took place in May 2015 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. However, it failed to live up to its billing and is widely regarded as one of the most disappointing fights in boxing history. The PPV broke numerous records in the USA, generating $410 million in revenue, making it the highest-grossing PPV in history, with 4.6 million people tuning in.
Critics were frustrated with Mayweather’s defensive approach to the fight, which in turn made Pacquiao’s job of landing punches on his opponent very difficult. It was later revealed that Pacquiao had suffered a shoulder injury in training which resurfaced in the fourth round. It wasn’t anywhere close to Mayweather’s best fight, but in terms of revenue and publicity, this was his highest-profile boxing opponent.
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Floyd Mayweather vs. Ricky Hatton
Both fighters came into this bout unbeaten, with Hatton sporting a record of 43-0 and Mayweather with 38-0. However, it was the American who came out on top in a fight where the vast majority of support was for Hatton, despite it being hosted in Las Vegas. Hatton fought bravely in the opening rounds, but after he grew frustrated with the referee, Mayweather capitalised as his opponent became fatigued. The fight lasted until the 10th round when a left hook caught Hatton flush on the cheek and he bounced into the ring post. Hatton answered at the count of 8, but the fight lasted just 20 more seconds, as he went down again after a flurry of big hits.
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Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor
After months of trading insults on social media and talk shows, the “Money Fight” between Mayweather and McGregor took place in Las Vegas in August 2017. Mayweather came out of retirement to take on the two-division MMA champion and UFC Lightweight Champion McGregor in a boxing match. 4.3 million people bought the pay-per-view in the USA, making it the second highest buy rate in history, while it grossed over £20 million in the UK alone. McGregor came out of the blocks early and went ahead for the first few rounds, while Mayweather dug in and defended. However, as the fight reached the latter rounds, the American’s experience began to tell, and it ended in Round 10, after McGregor became unable to defend himself, allowing Mayweather to extend his unbeaten record to 50-0.
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Floyd Mayweather vs. Big Show
Mayweather made an appearance at WWE’s No Way Out in Las Vegas in 2008 where he became involved in an altercation with WWE superstar Big Show. Mayweather broke the giant’s nose and was subsequently challenged to a match at Wrestlemania XXIV in Orlando. The boxer incensed the World’s Largest Athlete and his entrance at The Showcase of the Immortals saw him walk out while money dropped onto the crowd at the Citrus Bowl. He won the match by knocking the Big Show out with a set of brass knuckles and therefore maintained his unbeaten record. He was reportedly paid $20 million for the fight.
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Floyd Mayweather vs. Oscar de la Hoya
From the moment that Mayweather walked to the ring wearing a sombrero the wrong way around, mocking De La Hoya’s Mexican heritage with 50 Cent rapping next to him, you knew this was going to be good. The fight took place back in 2007 and featured the two biggest boxing stars of the generation. It was a thriller, lasting the distance with Mayweather winning the WBC light-middleweight title by split decision. At the time, it was the most lucrative boxing match ever, generating over $130 million in revenue.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs Oscar De La Hoya – Highlights (Great Fight)
NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED ** Follow me on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/jeffjacksonbestboxing/ Support me on Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/jeffjacksonboxing May 5th, 2007. De La Hoya vs. Mayweather: The World Awaits was a superfight between “The Golden Boy” and “Money Man”. Going into the fight, Floyd Mayweather was recognized as the No.
