Floyd Joy Mayweather, Jr. (born Floyd Sinclair on February 24, 1977), is an "Undefeated" American professional boxer. He won titles in five different weight divisions and he is also an Olympic Bronze Medallist. Over the last few years of his career, he was widely recognized as the best boxer, pound-for-pound, in the world. Mayweather comes from a prominent boxing family, which includes his father Floyd Mayweather Sr. and uncles Jeff Mayweather and Roger Mayweather, who was a world champion in two weight classes. In 2007, Mayweather Sr. learned from DNA that he has another son -- Justin Jones, a promising 19-year-old light middleweight amateur in Mayweather's hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Mayweather Jr. had an amateur record of 84-6 and won national Golden Gloves championships in 1993 (at 106 lb), 1994 (at 114 lb), and 1996 (at 125 lb). He was given the nickname "Pretty Boy" by his amateur teammates because he had relatively few scars, a result of the defensive techniques that his father (Floyd Mayweather, Sr.) and uncle (Roger Mayweather) had taught him. In his orthodox defensive stance, Mayweather—much like James Toney—often utilizes the 'shoulder roll'. The shoulder roll is an old-school boxing technique in which the right hand is held normally or slightly higher than normal, the left hand is down around the midsection, and the lead shoulder is raised high on the cheek in order to cover the chin and block punches. The right hand (from orthodox stance) is used, as it normally would be to block punches coming from the other side, such as left hooks. From this stance, Mayweather blocks, slips, and deflects most of his opponents' punches, even when cornered, by twisting left and right to the rhythm of their punches.
At the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Mayweather won a bronze medal by reaching the semi-finals of the featherweight (57 kg) division's 31-boxer tournament. In the opening round, Mayweather led 10-1 on points over Bakhtiyar Tileganov of Kazakhstan before he won by round 2 referee stoppage. In the second round, Mayweather outpointed Artur Gevorgyan of Armenia 16-3. In the quarterfinals, Mayweather survived a late rally by Lorenzo Aragon of Cuba to win 12-11. In his semifinal bout against the eventual silver medalist, Serafim Todorov of Bulgaria, Mayweather lost by a controversial decision that the U.S. team officially protested. Many who saw the bout, including the referee (who mistakenly raised Mayweather's hand when the decision was read), believed that Mayweather had won.
He got a title shot at the age of 21 against WBC Super Featherweight Champion Genaro Hernandez, who had lost only once in 40 fights. Mayweather dominated the fight before Hernandez's corner conceded defeat after six rounds. Mayweather fought Angel Manfredy just two months later in a high-profile bout, which Mayweather won by a second-round TKO. After defending his belt four more times, Mayweather was matched with the undefeated Diego Corrales. Mayweather dominated the entire fight, knocking down Corrales five times before the latter's father stop the contest.
After two more title defenses, Mayweather moved up in weight and fought WBC Lightweight Champion Jose Luis Castillo, a veteran of many battles, including a win and a draw against the crafty Stevie Johnston. Mayweather, fighting with an injured shoulder, won by a controversial unanimous decision. A rematch was immediately scheduled to end the dispute, which Mayweather won by a clear unanimous decision. Wins against Victoriano Sosa, Phillip N'dou, and DeMarcus Corley followed.
Mayweather then had what some termed a "superfight" with the popular but limited WBC Super Light Champion Arturo Gatti. Gatti had beaten a number of high profile opponents, including Leonard Dorin, Micky Ward, and Jesse James Leija, but he had failed to face any of the top fighters in the division. On June 25, 2005, Mayweather beat Gatti to become a three-division champion. However, Mayweather's claim to the world 140-pound championship was tenuous at best, given that he failed to face the universally-recognized legitimate champion, Ricky Hatton.
On April 8, 2006, Mayweather won the IBF Welterweight Championship with a unanimous decision over Zab Judah. The win garnered Mayweather his fourth world championship in four weight classes. However, once again his claim to the title was considered spurious by most, given that the linear title ran through Carlos Manuel Baldomir, who defeated Judah in his previous fight. On November 4, 2006, Mayweather earned an easy decision victory over Baldomir, shutting him out on two of the three scorecards.
On May 5, 2007, Mayweather defeated WBC Super Welterweight Champion and “Six Division World Champion” Oscar De La Hoya by a split decision to become a world champion in five different weight classes. This fight generated $120 million in revenue, live gate of $19 million, beating previous record of $16 million held by Evander Holyfield vs Lennox Lewis rematch, and selling a total of 2.4 million household Pay-per-view buys. Beating the previous record of 1.99 million held by Evander Holyfield-Mike Tyson II
After the fight with Oscar De La Hoya, Mayweather announced that he was retiring. But on Dec 8, 2007, he fought Ricky Hatton, retaining his WBC Welterweight Championship by a tenth-round TKO. Mayweather landed a left hook to Hatton's jaw early in the 10th that sent the challenger down. Hatton bravely got up but was quickly knocked back down, and the fight was called off. Mayweather was ahead 88-82, 89-81, and 89-81 at the time of the stoppage.
After his win over Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton he was ranked "Number 14" by Forbes Magazine as the Biggest Celebrity Paydays of 2007. On 22nd June 2010 he was listed on Forbes magazine and ranked "Number 2" as the most powerful and richest Sport Athlete of 2010, Mayweather however earned the second most out of any athlete on the list in 2010 falling just behind Tiger Woods with earnings of $65 million ($65,000,000,00).
He is also the co-founder of HBO 24/7 (TV series), HBO alongside Floyd Mayweather produced an excellent series of countdowns previewing their big Pay-per-view fights. These shows are 30 minute specials designed to get undecided and casual fans excited enought to pay $50 needed to watch the fight live.
Floyd Mayweather, Jr is one of two boxers ever in Compubox history to go an entire round without being hit, The other is Roy Jones, Jr.
It appeared that Mayweather was going to have a rematch with Oscar De La Hoya on September 20, 2008, but Mayweather announced his retirement on June 6, 2008.
On May 2, 2009, Mayweather announced his intentions to return to the ring and fight Juan Manuel Marquez in July 2009. But the fight between Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel was scheduled on September 19, 2009. It was a 12 round bout and Mayweather Jr. won via unanimous decision. After that he fought Shane Mosley on May 1, 20010. Mayweather Jr. won again via unanimous decision.
Mayweather appeared at World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)'s No Way Out pay-per-view on February 17, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he was involved in a storyline physical altercation with The Big Show, after Mayweather jumped a security barricade and attacked him with a punching combination, in an attempt to help Rey Mysterio, whom Show threatened to choke slam. Originally, Mayweather took on a babyface role in the storylines, though met with some reluctance from the fans. The attack resulted in Big Show receiving an actual broken nose, reportedly not part of the storyline. The following night on Raw, Big Show challenged Mayweather to a one on one No Disqualification match at WrestleMania XXIV, which Mayweather accepted. At WrestleMania, Mayweather turned heel by using various underhanded tactics and defeated Big Show by knockout using brass knuckles to maintain his unbeaten record.[86] Mayweather claimed that he was paid $20,000,000 USD for the fight, but WWE's financial statements do not show the number.
Mayweather was the guest host for WWE Raw in Las Vegas on August 24, 2009. He interfered with a tag team match that resulted in a loss for the Big Show (now heel again) and his partner Chris Jericho as Mayweather gave Montel Vontavious Porter brass knuckles to use to knock Jericho out, giving Porter and his new tag team partner Mark Henry the win and a shot at the Unified WWE Tag Team Titles at WWE Breaking Point against Big Show and Jericho. He then celebrated with Henry and Porter, thus turning face. Later on in the night he was involved in a backstage segment with Mr. McMahon, D-Generation X, and Carlito where he helped Mr. McMahon get ready for his 6 Man Tag Team Match against Legacy along with DX. During the segment, McMahon knocked out Carlito.
Floyd Mayweather Jr appeared on Dancing With The Stars his partner was the famous Ukrainian American born professional ballroom dancer Karina Smirnoff. It was the fifth season of the show and on October 16, 2007, Karina and Floyd were the fourth couple to be eliminated from the competition and came in 9th place.
After his win over Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton, Forbes magazine ranked Mayweather "Number 14" as the Biggest Celebrity Paydays of 2007.
On 22nd June 2010 Floyd Mayweather was ranked "Number 31" on Forbes Magazine as the most richest and most powerful celebrity. Mayweather however earned the second most out of any athlete on the list, falling just behind Tiger Woods with earnings of $65 million in 2010. Ranked ahead of Mayweather on the list was Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Lebron James and Roger Federer.
Mayweather was ranked a good deal ahead of fellow boxer Manny Pacquiao, Pacquiao was ranked "Number 55" by Forbes magazine with earnings of $42 million.
In 2007 Mayweather was involved in a commercial advertising for AT&T alongside Bill Curtis Mayweather is currently sponsored by Reebok, Before his upcoming bout with Shane Mosley Mayweather was seen wearing Reebok ZigTechs, a very popular brand of training shoes worn by athletes. Reebok stated that "Floyd’s preparation has been incredible and these shoes are helping him train longer, harder, and faster to be in the best shape he can be in for this fight.”
· Amateur Record: 84-6
· 1993 National Golden Gloves Light Flyweight Champion
· 1994 National Golden Gloves Flyweight Champion
· 1995 United States Amateur Featherweight Champion
· 1995 U.S. featherweight representative at the World Championships in Berlin. Results were:
o Defeated Marian Leondraliu (Romania) PTS (8-7)
o Lost to Nouredine Medjihoud (Algeria) PTS (6-8)
· 1996 National Golden Gloves Featherweight Champion
· 1996 Qualified as a featherweight for the United States Olympic Team. Results were:
o Defeated William Jenkins RSC-3
o Defeated James Baker RSCH-1
o Lost to Augie Sanchez PTS (11-12)
o Defeated Carlos Navarro PTS (31-11)
o Defeated Augie Sanchez PTS (12-8) at the Box-offs
o Defeated Augie Sanchez PTS (20-10) at the Box-offs
· 1996 Featherweight Bronze Medalist for the United States at the Olympics in Atlanta. Results were:
o Defeated Bakhtiyar Tileganov (Kazakhstan) RSCI-2
o Defeated Artur Gevorgyan (Armenia) PTS (16-3)
o Defeated Lorenzo Aragon (Cuba) PTS (12-11)
o Lost to Serafim Todorov (Bulgaria) PTs (9-10)
- 1993 Michigan State Golden Gloves Champion, 106 Lbs
- 1993 National Golden Gloves Champion, 106 Lbs
- 1994 Michigan State Golden Gloves Champion, 112 Lbs
- 1994 National Golden Gloves Champion, 112 Lbs; Outstanding Boxer Award
- 1995 National PAL Champion, 125 Lbs; Outstanding Boxer Award
- 1995 U.S. National Amateur Featherweight Champion, 125 Lbs
- 1995 Competed at Featherweight at the World Amateur Boxing Championships
- 1996 Michigan State Golden Gloves Champion, 125 Lbs
- 1996 National Golden Gloves Champion, 125 Lbs
- 1996 Qualified as a Featherweight for the United States Olympic Team
- 1996 Atlanta Olympics Featherweight Bronze medalist
- 1998 and 2007 International Boxing Award Fighter of the Year
- 1998 and 2007 The Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year
- 2000–09 Yahoo! Sports, Best of the Decade
- 2002 World Boxing Hall of Fame Fighter of the Year
- 2005 and 2007 World Boxing Council Boxer of the Year
- 2005–08 The Ring 'number one' pound for pound
- 2007 Boxing Writers Association of America Fighter of the Year
- 2007 ESPN Fighter of the Year
- 2007 Forbes Magazine, Ranked "Number 14" Richest Celebrity Paydays
- 2007 New York Daily News Fighter of the Year
- 2007 World Boxing Council Event of the Year (The World Awaits)
- 2007 World Boxing Council Knockout of the Year (against Ricky Hatton)
- 2007, 2008 and 2010 Best Fighter ESPY Award
- 2007, 2008 and 2010 The Ring Magazine Event of the Year
- 2008 Sports Illustrated, The 50 Highest-Earning American Athletes (ranked 4th)
- 2008 Yahoo Sports, Ranked "Number 6" Most Powerful People in Boxing
- 2009 The Ring Magazine Comeback of the Year
- 2009–10 BoxRec, BBC Sport and Yahoo! Sports 'number one' pound for pound
- 2010 Yahoo! Sports Boxing's Most Influential (ranked 70th)
- 2010 Forbes Magazine Celebrity 100 (ranked 31st)
- 2010 Forbes Magazine, The World's 50 Top-Earning Athletes (ranked 2nd)
- 2010 Sports Illustrated, The 50 Highest-Earning American Athletes (ranked 3rd)
- 2012 Forbes Magazine #1 of the world's 100 highest paid athletes.
- 2012 Sports Illustrated #1 fortunes 50.
- 2012 Best Fighter ESPY Award.
- 2013 The Ring 'number one' pound for pound.
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