Floyd Mayweather Jr. is beheld as one of the greatest boxers ever and was unbeaten throughout his professional boxing career, boasting an exceptional record of 50-0. ‘Money’ captured world championships in five separate weight classes. The legendary American pugilist is widely revered for having held 15 major world titles.
Mayweather wreaked havoc in the super featherweight, lightweight, super lightweight, welterweight, and super welterweight divisions. The Michigan-born fighter retired from pro boxing in Aug. 2017 and has never shied away from alluding to the fact that he’s one of the rare high-level fighters who retired unbeaten despite having extensively fought world-class opposition.
Nevertheless, Mayweather isn’t unbeknownst to the feeling of defeat in the sport of boxing.
Who did Floyd Mayweather lose to?
Floyd Mayweather suffered multiple defeats during his amateur boxing career. Per Boxrec, Mayweather competed in amateur boxing bouts from Nov. 1987 to Aug. 1996 and accrued a record of 43 victories and six defeats. Five of his wins came via KO/TKO, and he didn’t suffer a stoppage defeat.
On the contrary, some reports suggest that Mayweather’s amateur boxing record stands at 84-8, while others claim it’s 84-6. There have also been claims that Mayweather suffered nine defeats in his amateur boxing career.
The lack of video footage from some of his amateur bouts is deemed a major reason behind the confusion concerning his amateur boxing record.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s first amateur boxing setback was a points defeat against America’s Arnold Bravo aka Arnulfo Bravo in the US Junior National Championships’ flyweight semi-final bout back in June 1994. Mayweather’s second amateur boxing defeat came via points against Mexico’s Martin Castillo in a flyweight bout that was part of a U.S.A. vs. Mexico tournament in Nov. 1994.
Mayweather suffered a points defeat against America’s Carlos Navarro in a bantamweight bout in the U.S. Pan Am Trials in Jan. 1995. Mayweather was reportedly beaten on points by Juan Carlos Ramirez in another U.S.A. vs. Mexico event in 1995.
Following that, Floyd Mayweather then suffered a points loss against Algeria’s Noureddine Medjhoud in a featherweight bout at the AIBA World Championships’ Round Three in May 1995. The American then lost on points to Greece’s Tigran Uzlyan via walkover in a featherweight bout at the Russian 100th anniversary tournament in Dec. 1995.
Moreover, Mayweather’s next defeat came when he was outpointed by America’s Augie Sanchez in a featherweight bout in the U.S. Olympic Trials final in April 1996. Mayweather’s final amateur bout, which also marked his most-discussed and controversial defeat, came via points against Bulgaria’s Serafim Todorov in a featherweight bout.
The fight was the Olympic Games featherweight semi-final in Aug. 1996, in which Mayweather walked away from the Olympics with a bronze medal. Some believed that Mayweather won.
Mayweather’s supporters alleged that Bulgaria’s Emil Jetchev, a longtime chairman of the International Referees’ and Judges’ Commission had coerced the judges to score the fight in favor of his compatriot.
Regardless, Floyd Mayweather later forged a legacy as one of the all-time greats in the professional boxing realm. Since retiring from pro boxing in Aug. 2017, ‘Money’ has competed in several exhibition boxing matchups. Presently, Mayweather is scheduled to face John Gotti III in an exhibition boxing rematch at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico, on Aug. 24, 2024.
