Floyd Mayweather’s record standing at 53-0-1 is a myth and could take away any kudos from the boxing legend gaining a 5oth professional win.
World Boxing News stumbled upon the TV Network Triller’s list of Mayweather to discover that the ‘Money’ man has exhibitions counted. Three extra wins and a draw appear, which says much about where boxing is headed.
Recent exhibitions like the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson offering, which is being counted as professional despite most people knowing it’s an exhibition over eight two-minute rounds, could see Mayweather’s C.V. suffer. His 2017 fight with Conor McGregor is tainted by the likes of Paul vs. Tyson and would undoubtedly encourage some to discount it, WBN included.
That would place Mayweather at 49-0 and back level with Rocky Marciano on the most significant number of victories without defeat in retirement. The Las Vegas native wouldn’t be happy with that scenario. Still, when unfathomable situations arise, like the one placing the boxing legend on 53-0-1, something must be done to stop the madness.
Knocking out two kickboxing stars who had never boxed, carrying one YouTuber to a draw, and stopping the other are not record-worthy achievements for any boxer – let alone Floyd Mayweather. However, this is the path boxing is being forced down due to legends choosing to fight on after professional retirement, the old guard coming back in their fifties, and influencers pretending they are bonafide pugilists.
Social media, the bane of much of society’s problems, can have the blame put firmly at its door for the current plight of the sport. The fact that people [talentless in many cases] can put up their phones and make content that kids and other easily-led consumers will eat up daily is not the platform for a boxing career. TV networks can also take some of that heat for entertaining these fights and placing them in the same vein as regular pro events.
As usual in boxing, it’s down to the almighty dollar, which is why Mayweather entertains the idea of sharing the ring with operators far beneath his skillset. He even calls those fights ‘heists’ and ‘robberies,’ but tickets still seem to sell, even though not as much of late.
Mayweather’s latest offering, taking place in Mexico, is a rematch of a contest that ended in a riot the last time he fought John Gotti III. That tells you all you need to know about how Mayweather sells events in his late forties.
But why does the first fight not appear on the newly updated record [DQ victory], and his win over a Geordie Shore contest in a half-empty London arena is left out is anyone’s guess?
If anything, Mayweather should be 55-0-1. If you add those other kinds of bouts to a record, you may as well go the whole nine yards.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
