“Pretty Boy” grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, but has lived in Las Vegas for most of his adult life. His father was a fringe contender who once fought Sugar Ray Leonard. His uncle and current trainer Roger was a two-division world champion. Boxing was a natural course for Floyd to take, and he embarked on a glorious amateur career, highlighted by numerous national titles and a berth on the 1996 Olympic team. He won a bronze medal, after losing a one-point decision against a visibly inferior opponent.
Mayweather turned pro and was almost immediately pegged as a genuine prospect. At 21, he soundly defeated 38-1-1 WBC Super Featherweight Champion Genaro Hernandez. He hasn’t looked back since. His run at 130 lbs. was one of the best in division history, culminating in a masterful dismantling of undefeated fellow champion Diego Corrales. It was the first and last time the odds were that close in a Mayweather fight. Mayweather might have been fortunate to earn a 2002 decision over lightweight champ Jose Luis Castillo when he moved up in weight, but the rematch proved Mayweather’s superiority.
His run at 140 lbs. was disappointing, as he fought second-tier opposition in his 3 fights in that division. Mayweather debuted at welterweight with a knockout over Sharmba Mitchell. In his next fight, he beat Zab Judah in a fight where Floyd had trouble early. He routed linear Welterweight Champion Carlos Baldomir in his next fight. So far, so good.
His next two fights would really pad Mayweather’s bank account. He decisioned faded Oscar De La Hoya for a junior middleweight belt to capture a title in his fifth different weight class. He then obliterated Junior Welterweight Champion Ricky Hatton for a 10th round knockout before “retiring” for close to two years. For those who thought Hatton was too small for Mayweather bristled when Juan Manuel Marquez was chosen as Mayweather’s comeback opponent. Marquez is superb, but had only just moved up to lightweight and even that was a bit of a stretch for the Mexican legend. For him to move up another two full divisions was too much to ask, as he was easily decisioned by the masterful “Money May.”
On May 1, 2010, Mayweather easily decisioned WBA Welterweight Champion Shane Mosley to run his record to 41-0 (25 KOs). With his sights now on Pacquiao, he has managed to quiet the critics who claim he picks easy opponents. Say what you will about Mayweather, 33, but he is an all-time great talent who is now beginning to compile the resume befitting a fighter of his stature.
