Legendary boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. claims he can count the number of truly challenging fights he had during his illustrious career on just one hand.
Known as “Money,” Mayweather retired in 2017 with a perfect 50-0 record, a rare feat, having secured world titles across five different weight classes.
Leading up to his final professional bout against UFC star Conor McGregor, Mayweather defeated 15 consecutive world champions.
Despite this impressive record, Mayweather named Emanuel Augustus, famous for his “Drunken Master” style, as one of his most difficult opponents. Although Mayweather beat Augustus in 2000, he credited the unconventional fighter, along with Miguel Cotto, as being among his hardest adversaries.
Speaking to FightHype, Mayweather stated: “I probably had six tough fights, if that, probably five tough fights.
Cotto was a tough fight, Emmanuel Augustus was tough, Cotto you know he was tough.
[I can name] those two that I can name off the top of my head, probably a few other fights but we got through it.”
Augustus was known for his unpredictable, showboating style, sometimes appearing inebriated in the ring to confuse opponents. Mayweather reportedly found Augustus`s unique approach challenging in their fight, which he ultimately won by decision.
Emanuel Augustus concluded his 78-fight career with 38 wins, 34 losses, and six draws, losing his final six bouts before retiring in 2011.
Miguel Cotto, a four-division world champion himself, faced Mayweather in 2012 for the WBA light-middleweight title. Mayweather, stepping up in weight from welterweight, won the 12-round contest. However, Cotto`s effective, aggressive tactics left Mayweather with a bloodied nose.
Cotto retired in 2017, shortly after Mayweather`s final pro fight, following an iconic career.
Mayweather, who also defeated notable fighters like Canelo Alvarez in 2013, exited the sport as arguably the wealthiest boxer ever, with reported earnings exceeding £1 billion. A significant portion of this wealth came from his high-profile victories over Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor.
The long-anticipated fight against Manny Pacquiao in 2015 saw Mayweather use his defensive mastery to outsmart his rival over the full distance.
Recalling his opponents on The Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast, Mayweather reflected: “The best fighter I ever fought, probably was Manny Pacquiao. Because of his movement.
But he`s a helluva` fighter and I can see why he won so many fights and I can see why he`s going down as a Hall of Famer, it`s just certain moves that he made.
But the roughest fighter probably was a guy named Emanuel Augustus. The Drunken Master. He was tough.
And Miguel Cotto was very, very physically strong. So, you`ve got different fighters, different days you feel different ways.
So some days you can go over there and you may not feel that good but you go over there and feel superb.”
Mayweather did not include Conor McGregor in his list of tough fights. He has continued to participate in exhibition bouts since his retirement from professional boxing. His most recent exhibition occurred in August 2024 against John Gotti III, the grandson of infamous New York crime figure John Gotti.
Oliver Croft