Floyd Mayweather, Jr., American boxer

Floyd Joy Mayweather Jr., born Floyd Joy Sinclair on February 24, 1977, stands as one of the most iconic and dominant figures in the history of boxing. This American legend is celebrated not only as a former professional boxer with an unparalleled career but also as a savvy boxing promoter. His active competition years spanned from 1996 to 2015, with a notable one-fight comeback in 2017, solidifying his status as a true titan of the sport. Beyond the ring, Mayweather has expanded his empire, notably as the owner of The Money Team Racing, a team competing in the prestigious NASCAR Cup Series, showcasing his diverse business acumen.

The Undefeated Legacy: From Amateur Rings to World Champion

Amateur Beginnings: Laying the Foundation

Before his professional ascendancy, Mayweather honed his skills in the amateur circuit, demonstrating glimpses of the greatness to come. His amateur career was marked by significant achievements, including a bronze medal in the featherweight division at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He also secured three U.S. Golden Gloves championships across different weight classes (light flyweight, flyweight, and featherweight) and clinched the U.S. national championship at featherweight. These early successes provided a strong foundation for what would become an extraordinary professional journey.

Professional Dominance: "Money" Mayweather's Reign

Stepping into the professional arena, Floyd Mayweather Jr. embarked on a career that would etch his name into the annals of boxing history. He famously retired with an immaculate, undefeated record, a testament to his exceptional skill, strategy, and defensive mastery. During his illustrious career, he captured fifteen major world championships, showcasing his versatility and dominance across five weight classes, from super featherweight all the way to light middleweight. This impressive haul included the coveted Ring magazine title in five weight classes and the lineal championship in four weight classes, twice at welterweight.

Mayweather's style was often characterized by his unparalleled defensive abilities, earning him the moniker of the "best defensive boxer in history" by many experts. He was also an incredibly accurate puncher, a fact underscored by CompuBox statistics which reveal him having the highest plus-minus ratio in recorded boxing history. His professional record speaks volumes: 26 consecutive wins in world title fights (10 by KO), 23 wins (9 KOs) in lineal title fights, 24 victories (7 KOs) against former or current world titlists, 12 wins (3 KOs) against former or current lineal champions, and 5 wins (1 KO) against International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees. It was no surprise then that Mayweather was deservedly inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2021.

Accolades and Recognition: A Decorated Career

The boxing world and sports media alike have consistently showered Floyd Mayweather with accolades. He was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the 2010s by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). The Ring magazine recognized him as their "Fighter of the Year" twice (1998 and 2007), while the BWAA bestowed the same honor upon him three times (2007, 2013, and 2015). His dominance extended to the ESPY Awards, where he won the "Best Fighter" award an astonishing six times (2007–2010, 2012–2014). ESPN ranked him as the greatest boxer, pound for pound, of the last 25 years in 2016, and as of May 2021, BoxRec places him as the greatest boxer of all time, pound for pound. Numerous prominent sporting news outlets and boxing websites, including The Ring, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, BoxRec, Fox Sports, and Yahoo! Sports, consistently ranked Mayweather as the world's best pound-for-pound boxer over a decade.

Beyond the Ring: Business and Influence

The Pay-Per-View King and Entrepreneur

Beyond his in-ring prowess, Floyd Mayweather Jr. transformed into one of the most lucrative pay-per-view (PPV) attractions of all time, not just in boxing but across all sports. His name became synonymous with massive events that generated unprecedented revenue. He frequently topped the Forbes and Sports Illustrated lists of the 50 highest-paid athletes, claiming the top spot in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 as the highest-paid athlete in the world. His shrewd business decisions were pivotal; in 2006, he founded his own boxing promotional firm, Mayweather Promotions, after strategically parting ways with Bob Arum's Top Rank. This move allowed him greater control over his career and earnings.

Mayweather's events have collectively generated approximately 24 million PPV buys and an astounding $1.67 billion in revenue throughout his career, far surpassing other legendary PPV attractions like Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Oscar De La Hoya, and Manny Pacquiao. In 2018, Forbes once again recognized him as the highest-paid athlete globally, with total earnings, including endorsements, reaching $285 million. Cementing his financial legacy, Sportico's November 2021 all-time athlete earnings list ranked Mayweather at No. 6, with an inflation-adjusted total of $1.2 billion throughout his career, a true testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and global appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions about Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Who is Floyd Mayweather Jr.?
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is an American professional boxing promoter and former professional boxer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, known for his undefeated record and exceptional defensive skills.
What is he famous for?
He is most famous for his undefeated boxing record (50-0), winning fifteen major world championships across multiple weight classes, and being one of the most lucrative pay-per-view attractions in sports history. He is also known for his business ventures, including Mayweather Promotions and The Money Team Racing in NASCAR.
What is his professional boxing record?
Floyd Mayweather Jr. retired with an official professional boxing record of 50 wins and 0 losses, with 27 of those wins coming by knockout.
Has Floyd Mayweather ever lost a fight?
No, Floyd Mayweather Jr. never lost a professional boxing match. He concluded his career with a perfect 50-0 record.
What are his other ventures outside of boxing?
Beyond his role as a boxing promoter with Mayweather Promotions, he owns a team in the NASCAR Cup Series called The Money Team Racing. He is also a prominent entrepreneur and investor.
When was he inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame?
Floyd Mayweather Jr. was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the class of 2021.
What weight classes did Mayweather compete in?
He competed and won world championships across five different weight classes, ranging from super featherweight to light middleweight.