8 Victories That Defined Floyd Mayweather’s Legacy
Floyd Mayweather didn’t earn the nickname “Money” by playing it safe—he built a spotless 50-0 record with brains, bravado, and brutal precision. His fights helped shape the legend. This quick rundown captures the key moments that turned Floyd into a boxing icon.
Diego Corrales – January 20, 2001
Credit: Youtube
Diego Corrales came in undefeated with 33 knockouts, but Floyd sent him to the canvas five times before Corrales’ corner finally threw in the towel. HBO’s Jim Lampley called it “a virtuoso performance.” His speed and accuracy dismantled Corrales round by round.
José Luis Castillo II – December 7, 2002
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The first match split people—some even thought Castillo edged it. So Mayweather made sure the sequel wasn’t up for debate. He came in sharper and lighter and proved he could adapt, adjust, and outsmart the same opponent twice.
Arturo Gatti – June 25, 2005
Credit: Instagram
This was Floyd at his flashiest. Arturo Gatti was beloved for his heart and brawling style, but he couldn’t land anything meaningful that night. After six rounds, Gatti’s corner had seen enough. It was officially a TKO, but it felt more like a dismantling.
Zab Judah – April 8, 2006
Credit: Instagram
Zab Judah had speed, swagger, and something to prove. He started strong and even stunned Mayweather with a sneaky left in round two. Then came Floyd’s infamous low blow and full-blown melee—trainers and security came into the ring. He dominated the second half and walked away with a unanimous decision.
Carlos Baldomir – November 4, 2006
Credit: Youtube
Some fans grumbled about this boring one, but Mayweather made a point. Carlos Baldomir was the lineal welterweight champ. Floyd hit him with everything. He cruised to a lopsided win and landed over 200 punches. It was 12 rounds of boxing brilliance.
Oscar De La Hoya – May 5, 2007
Credit: Instagram
Oscar De La Hoya brought fame and a fanbase, but Mayweather still won. He outworked Oscar in the later rounds and took a split decision. The fight pulled in over 2.4 million pay-per-view buys and turned Floyd into a household name overnight.
Ricky Hatton – December 8, 2007
Credit: Instagram
Ricky Hatton showed up undefeated with an army of British fans behind him. But Mayweather stayed cool and waited for openings. By round ten, Hatton lunged forward, and Floyd clipped him with a picture-perfect left hook. Hatton went face-first into the ring post before hitting the canvas.
Juan Manuel Márquez – September 19, 2009
Credit: Instagram
After retiring in 2007, Floyd returned two years later to face Juan Manuel Márquez, one of the sport’s best technicians. He dominated from the opening bell, scored a knockdown in the second round, and coasted to a wide unanimous decision. The punch stats said it all: Mayweather landed 59% of his power shots.
Shane Mosley – May 1, 2010
Credit: Instagram
Round two changed the mood fast. Shane Mosley rocked Mayweather with a clean right hand—then another. Floyd stumbled but didn’t go down, and Mosley barely touched him for the next ten rounds. Floyd outlanded him 208 to 92 and walked out with a dominant decision.
Victor Ortiz – September 17, 2011
Credit: Instagram
Victor Ortiz fought wild and emotional, and that came back to bite him. After landing on Floyd, Ortiz paused to apologize—twice. Floyd didn’t wait. He caught him with a left hook and a right hand while Ortiz had his guard down and ended the match in round four.
Miguel Cotto – May 5, 2012
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Miguel Cotto came to fight, and for once, Mayweather had to dig deep. Cotto pressed forward, landed clean shots, and even hit Floyd’s nose—something few opponents managed. But Floyd kept his composure and returned fire with slick combos and crisp counters. The judges scored it wide, but fans saw a competitive scrap.
Robert Guerrero – May 4, 2013
Credit: Instagram
Mayweather shut Robert Guerrero down with masterful footwork and laser-accurate jabs. Guerrero looked busy, but he couldn’t find his target. Floyd made him miss all night. The scorecards weren’t close—117-111 across the board. Critics expected age to show after a long layoff, but instead, Floyd looked fresher than ever.
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez – September 14, 2013
Credit: Instagram
Canelo entered with an undefeated record, but against Mayweather, he looked unsure and outmatched. Floyd tired out the 23-year-old star by using angles and timing to control the ring like a chessboard. The judges called it a majority decision, but everyone watching knew it was a shutout.
Manny Pacquiao – May 2, 2015
Credit: Instagram
Years in the making, this fight broke records and raised expectations. Floyd landed the cleaner shots and dictated the pace throughout. Over 4.6 million households tuned in, and the match ended one of boxing’s longest debates.
Conor McGregor – August 26, 2017
Credit: Instagram
Conor McGregor talked loudly, sold tickets, and crossed over from MMA. Floyd let McGregor burn energy in the early rounds, then ramped up the pressure. By round ten, Conor had nothing left, and Mayweather scored the TKO. That win capped his career at 50-0 and broke Rocky Marciano’s long-standing record.