Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s showdown with Manny Pacquiao on May 2 will break all kinds of records from pay-per-view buys to MGM Grand attendance, but it won’t be “Money” Mayweather’s first big-time fight. Mayweather’s been a boxing star for a long time, and these five fights in particular loom largest on his perfect 47-0-0 record.
5. Arturo Gatti (2005)
At this point in his career Gatti was the big draw. This bout took place in Atlantic City, where no fighter was as popular. Mayweather was still being billed as “Pretty Boy Floyd,” and although his fast hands and defense were already well-known, there were doubts about whether he had the toughness to overcome the “Blood and Guts” warrior.
Instead of Gatti punishing the Pretty Boy as many expected, Mayweather unleashed hell on Gatti in what is perhaps his most dominant performance ever. Known for his incredible defense, Mayweather let his hands go once he realized Gatti had nothing for him and scored stoppage in Round 6.
4. Diego Corrales (2001)
This fight was fairly early in Mayweather’s career, and really put him on the map in terms of pound-for-pound greatness. Corrales was a known commodity at this point, moreso than Mayweather, and was favored to win the fight.
With the super featherweight title on the line, Mayweather put forth arguably the most complete effort of his spotless career. He knocked Corrales down a whopping five times en route to a TKO win in Round 10. It’s worth it to note that at the lower weights, Mayweather carried much more power. His KO rate plummeted as he moved up in weight class, partially because he is naturally small, and also because he has had problems with hand injuries.
3. Ricky Hatton (2007)
Hatton came into this fight with a magnificent 43-0-0 record, as well as one of the largest and rowdiest fan bases in boxing. He was a powerful puncher, but was considered formidable to Mayweather because of his rough, brawling nature. Hatton wasn’t above dirty tactics, and figured to be difficult for Mayweather to face as one of the purest practitioners of “the sweet science” in the game.
Hatton did indeed try to get rough, but a prepared Mayweather had no problems handling it, scoring one of his few knockout victories at 147 pounds.
2. Oscar De La Hoya (2007)
Mayweather’s fight vs. De La Hoya was the most important of his career, launching him to the top of the boxing mountaintop where he has yet to come down from. De La Hoya was the A-side going into the bout, but it was the last time Mayweather would ever be a B-side.
De La Hoya had some success in spots vs. Mayweather when he was pumping jabs through Mayweather’s renowned defense, but he didn’t consistently employ it and he was hit often with Mayweather’s accurate counters. The split decision victory for Mayweather was met with some skepticism, but regardless Mayweather became boxing’s unquestioned top dog.
1. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (2013)
After enduring much criticism for his choices of opponents for several years, mostly because their names weren’t Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather took on one of the most popular fighters on the planet, Mexican Canelo Alvarez, at 154 pounds. Alvarez entered the fight unbeaten, with a reputation as a powerful slugger with skills. Mayweather, already in his late 30s, was believed to be beyond his absolute prime and in a tough one here.
Once the bell rang though Mayweather put on a classic performance. He frustrated Alvarez all night long with his defense and hard counters, earning a laughable majority decision (one judge scored it a draw). While the bout wasn’t as complete as his demolitions of Gatti and Corrales, his defensive mastery was as good as ever. In addition, it was the highest-grossing fight in boxing history.
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