Floyd Mayweather has named his top six victories from a 50-0 record that seems unbreakable in the modern era.
Mayweather overtook Rocky Marciano’s benchmark in 2017 when defeating UFC star Conor McGregor in a professional boxing bout. McGregor makes the list from the Mayweather 50-0, in a career that saw the Grand Rapids native become a five-weight world champion.
Canelo, the top name in boxing for a decade since losing to Mayweather in 2013, is among the wins Mayweather regards on his treasured list.
Worldboxingnews.com counts down Mayweather’s list from a recent conversation with FightHype.com.
“When I think back on my career, there are a few different ones,” Mayweather began.
Diego Corrales [January 20, 2001 – MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas]
“So when I had a chance to face Diego Corrales at that particular time, he was undefeated. He was a killer in the sport of boxing.
“And why that fight meant so much to me was because at that particular time, I had a deal with HBO, and they wanted me to sign a six-fight deal with HBO. Just as a human, I wanted to voice my opinion about the deal, and they weren’t happy that I voiced my opinion about the deal.
“So they said we are going to take the deal off the table, and whoever wins the fight with me and Diego Corrales will get the deal with HBO.
“So we ended up fighting, and he is a hell of a fighter at six feet and 130 pounds. He is a hard puncher. We both had a bunch of knockouts at that particular time, and we matched up. That night, I was the better man. That night was a great night of boxing for the world, and I feel like that was one of my biggest moments.
Arturo Gatti [June 25, 2005 – Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City]
“When I look back at Arturo Gatti, where they had me go over to his turf. They made me the B side, and they made him the A side, and they took millions of dollars from me on that fight, but still nothing could stop me.
“So that was a big moment for me to go there and be victorious on his turf and beat him for his title in front of his fans. May he rest in peace, and also may Diego Corrales rest in peace, because both of those fighters are no longer with us, but we will always love both of those fighters.
Oscar De La Hoya [May 5, 2007 – MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas]
“Then we have another fight against Oscar De La Hoya. Breaking the pay-per-view [record and barrier].
Ricky Hatton [December 8, 2007 – MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas]
Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton. He was another undefeated fighter who came over to display his skills against my skills. Once again, I was the better man, and he was another tough competitor.
Canelo Alvarez [September 14, 2013 – MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas]
“Me and Canelo were able to lock up and do record-breaking numbers.
Conor McGregor [August 25, 2017 – T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas]
“I think Conor McGregor was good because we broke the mold and showed that MMA and Boxing can come together. That opened up a floodgate for the YouTubers and everybody to get involved in the sport of boxing.
“So everything played a major role in my tremendous career.
Manny Pacquiao [May 2, 2015 – MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas]
“I left the main one out, which was Manny Pacquiao. A Lot of times, people will have their own opinion about me, but when I look back on my career, as long as I did things the way I wanted to do things, I am happy.”
Jose Luis Castillo, Shane Mosley, and Miguel Cotto failed to make Mayweather’s cut in notable absences.
Sign up for the WBN Newsletter for free and get daily news directly in your email. Never miss a story.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, an experienced boxing writer and World Boxing News Editor since 2010.