MayPac fight week is here. As we’ve said before the media has been flooded with various bits about the mega-bout. In our continuing effort to keep the focus on boxing we’ve been looking at the career highlights of each fighter. Specifically, those signature bouts that have elevated them to their super-star status. This time we turn the spotlight on Floyd Mayweather. Given his penchant for showmanship one can forget that the man is as technically proficient a fighter that has ever stepped into the ring. Don’t believe us. Check out Floyd Mayweather’s greatest fights.
Diego Corrales
This was Mayweather at the early stages of a brilliant career. He met Corrales at just 23 years old when he was still a super-featherweight. At the time both fighters were undefeated and neither had ever touched the canvas. Floyd dominated Corrales, knocking him down five times over the course of the fight. Mayweather essentially dominated every round before stopping Corrales via TKO in the 10th. It was the first indicator that we were looking at a pound-for-pound great.
Arturo Gatti
Mayweather met Arturo Gatti in 2005 in Atlantic City. Given that Gatti had fought wars and had a penchant for leaving it all in the ring, many were eager to see what type of damage he could inflict upon Mayweather. In the first round Mayweather floored Gatti, though the validity of the knockdown was questionable. No matter, because for the next five rounds, the quicker Mayweather tee’d off on Gatti, landing nearly every shot against him. Having seen enough Gatti’s corner stopped the fight after round six, giving Mayweather his third world title.
Oscar De La Hoya
This was the bout that made Mayweather a household name. It was the first time promotion for a boxing match included the use of a reality show. HBO’s 24/7 chronicled the fighters leading up to the bout and was a massive success due to the bad-boy antics and brashness of Floyd and the Mayweather clan. As for the fight, it was a close affair, with De La Hoya actually winning the first half, but fading in the second, which allowed Mayweather to finish strong and take a split decision.
Canelo Alvarez
Bigger, stronger and younger many believed Alvarez to be the biggest threat (other than Pacquiao) to defeat Mayweather. Coming into the bout Alvarez was also an undefeated champion. Yet, the affair wasn’t even close. Although older and the naturally smaller man, Mayweather outboxed Canelo from the opening bell and never permitted Canelo to put together any type of a rally. The victory was significant because it came at a time when many fighters begin to see a decline in their performance, skills and body. Not Mayweather. Like a fine wine Floyd just seems to be getting better with age.
