Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather is one of the most famous athletes to step into the boxing ring. Holding a 50-0 professional record and wins over names such as Manny Pacquiao, his place in history is secure. Since his 2017 retirement, Mayweather has consistently been labeled one of the greatest of all time, and for good reason.
However, that doesn’t mean his historic career didn’t happen without controversy. He had a lot of it. Across Mayweather’s 50 wins in his professional career, many of those bouts were contentious. These ten cut the most controversial victories, but some are far more problematic than others.
10.Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor
Some Were Unhappy With The Stoppage In This Clash
While some have likely forgotten, there was controversy in Floyd Mayweather’s 2017 win over Conor McGregor. As some might recall, ‘The Notorious’ had some early success but wound up losing by tenth-round stoppage in this surreal matchup.
9.Floyd Mayweather vs. Ricky Hatton
As It Turns Out, Styles Make Fights
Floyd Mayweather’s 2007 clash with Ricky Hatton was a clash of styles. Ultimately, ‘The Hitman’ was unable to get inside, and wound up suffering a tenth-round stoppage. However, there was some controversy in this fight.
Referee Joe Cortez came under fire in this one, for being biased towards Mayweather. Hatton himself agreed and drew reference to being deducted points for hitting his opponent behind the head, despite ‘Money’ turning his back to him.
8.Floyd Mayweather vs. Marcos Maidana II
The Rematch Between These Two Was Again Close
Floyd Mayweather’s second bout with Marcos Maidana resembled the first fight quite a bit. However, this time around, ‘Money’ wound up scoring a more dominant and decisive victory, winning by unanimous decision.
While the rematch with ‘El Chino’ wasn’t as close as their first bout, some still believed that Maidana deserved the nod here. Although, it wasn’t many.
7.Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao
‘The Fight of The Century’ Was Disappointing
Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao’s 2015 clash is still the biggest boxing match of all time. Still, ‘Money’ emerged with a win by unanimous decision, in a bout that didn’t have a whole lot of action.
Despite the lackluster bout, some did believe that ‘PacMan’ deserved the nod here. Pacquiao himself has stated repeatedly since 2015 that he deserved the win.
6.Floyd Mayweather vs. Victor Ortiz
Cheap Shot or Justified?
Floyd Mayweather’s 2011 knockout win over Victor Ortiz is still one of the most controversial victories on his resume. That night ‘Money’ scored a fourth-round knockout win after being headbutted moments prior.
While nobody doubts that Mayweather deserved the win, many still labeled the shot a cheap one. While it was a legal punch, it happened moments after a break in the action, and Ortiz seemingly didn’t know the fight was ongoing.
5.Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez
This One Isn’t Controversial Because of Mayweather.
Floyd Mayweather’s 2013 bout with Canelo Alvarez was titled ‘The One’. While many hoped to see the young Mexican superstar upset ‘Money’, he wound up suffering a majority decision defeat. Unlike other entries, this fight isn’t controversial because of Mayweather.
4.Floyd Mayweather vs. Oscar De La Hoya
‘Golden Boy’ Is The Only Man To Take A Scorecard From Mayweather
Oscar De La Hoya’s 2007 clash with Floyd Mayweather was somewhat of a passing of the torch. Not really in terms of fight styles, but in terms of pay-per-view draws. This bout was massive, and ‘Golden Boy’ set a then-record for highest purse in boxing history with $52 million.
Ultimately, Mayweather emerged with a split-decision win here, but many De La Hoya fans felt that he deserved the nod. For what it’s worth, the Mexican boxer is still the only man to take a scorecard from ‘Money’.
3.Floyd Mayweather vs. Jose Luis Castillo II
‘El Terrible’ Is Still One Of Mayweather’s Toughest Fights
In December 2002, Floyd Mayweather and Jose Luis Castillo had a high-profile rematch for lightweight gold. The fight took less than a year after their first bout, and this one was again extremely close.
Much like the first fight, Mayweather used his speed, and defensive prowess, while Castillo tried to use his size to his advantage. Ultimately, ‘Pretty Boy’ emerged with a unanimous decision win. Although, some believed that Castillo deserved the win, as he landed the bigger, and more impactful shots.
2.Floyd Mayweather vs. Marcos Maidana
‘El Chino’ Nearly Upset ‘Money’ in May 2014
While some believed Marcos Maidana deserved the nod in his rematch with Floyd Mayweather, their first bout was much more controversial. ‘El Chino’ really caught the legend by surprise with his physicality in their first fight.
Maidana didn’t treat this like a boxing match, he treated it like a fight. While some believed he deserved the nod here, ‘Money’ emerged with the win by majority decision.
