Who is Floyd Mayweather, what's his net worth and has he really retired?
It took the five-weight champion until the 10th round to beat the UFC star, who was making his professional boxing debut in one of the most eagerly anticipated fights ever. But after a sussing out his opponent, Mayweather showed just why many believe he is the best pound-for-pound boxer ever.
Afterwards, Mayweather declared his retirement - for the third time. Whether he can be persuaded to take another super fight remains to be seen.
So how did the 40-year-old find himself to be the proud owner of an undefeated record after over 20 years in the ring?
Born in 1977 in Michigan, USA, to former welterweight fighter Floyd Mayweather Snr, Mayweather Jnr enjoyed a prestiguous amateur career before earning his professional licence.
After winning the prestigious Golden Gloves Championship, aged 16, Mayweather was given the nickname 'Pretty Boy', owing to the fact his opponents all struggled to land a punch on him.
Mayweather won a bronze medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics after being beaten in the semi-finals of the featherweight competition.
It would be the first and last time Mayweather would taste defeat as he went on to begin his illustrious, unbeaten professional career on October 11 later that year.
He would go on to fight at five separate weight divisions in his career, winning world titles in all of those divisions and collecting 15 title belts overall.
Floyd Mayweather
Floyd Mayweather has not boxed since 2015 CREDIT: PA
Some of the biggest fights in the history of boxing have featured Floyd Mayweather, with Forbes estimating the fighter had grossed close to $500m in career earnings.
His 'Fight of the Century' against Manny Pacquiao saw Mayweather earn as much as $300m in sponsorship deals, pay-per-view buys and prize money and his net worth, according to Forbes in 2016, is $340million.
“Before I even stepped into the ring I was able to rake in $25 million,” said Mayweather following the fight, which he won by points decision.
Mayweather is also notorious for his penchant for placing huge bets on a variety of sports.
In 2016 it was reported the 'Money' placed a $13m wager on the Denver Broncos beating the Carolina Panthers to win Super Bowl 50.
The 40-year-old recently told ESPN that his love for gambling began as a child.
"It started when I was a kid, when you and a friend can't agree on something. You're always competing against one another, always watching sports, it was little small betting. Like you'd bet lunch, dinner, when you're a kid. Or a candy bar or a bag of chips.
"But when you get a little bit older, a teenager, I bet you a dollar, two dollars. And then once you get to the big-boy league, you become an adult, you get to sportsbook betting and that's how it all started for me.
"I bet basketball, both college and NBA, college football and pro football. Not everything, but pretty much.
Floyd Mayweather
Floyd Mayweather beat Manny Pacquiao on points in the 'Fight of the Century' CREDIT: AP
Mayweather, who lives in Las Vegas, came out of retirement to fight the UFC icon having hung up his gloves twice already in the past.
He first retired in December 2007 following a points victory over Ricky Hatton Las Vegas. Following a 21-month absence from boxing, Mayweather returned to the ring to fight Juan Manuel Marquez.
His victory over the Mexican was followed up by a nine-match winning streak that saw him beat, among others, Saul Canelo Alvarez, Shane Mosley and Manny Pacquiao.
Mayweather retired for a second time after beating Andre Berto on September 12, 2015. In January 2016, Mayweather insisted he would only return to the ring to fight take a fight with Conor McGregor, in the hope of a winning result.
"Only thing I'm probably interested in is the Conor McGregor fight," Mayweather said.
"I'm a businessman, and it makes business sense. I believe in what me and [adviser] Al Haymon talk about every day."
After months of speculation, rumour and conjecture, Mayweather and McGregor both finally put pen to paper on a multi-million dollar contract to fight on August 26.
You can find out how the fight unfolded by clicking on one of the many articles below:
Comments
Post a Comment