Floyd Mayweather has considered whether there was a single opponent who came even remotely close to handing him a professional defeat.
Having become a five-division world champion, the American retired with a 50-0 record following his 10th-round stoppage of Conor McGregor in 2017.
It was hardly the most commendable way to cap off his career but, in previous years, Mayweather had claimed more impressive victories against the likes of Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley.
In fact, many will often highlight the brief moment of jeopardy when, against Mosley in 2010, Mayweather had his knees buckled by a right hand in round two.
Ultimately, he would go on to win a unanimous decision but there have been other times, too, when the Hall of Famer has not been fully in control.
His first encounter with the rugged Marcos Maidana, for instance, delivered a closely-fought battle that saw Mayweather edge a majority decision in 2014.
Even before that, when he was campaigning at 135lbs in 2002, many felt Mayweather was fortunate to win his first fight against Jose Luis Castillo by unanimous decision.
But while Maidana and Castillo are often named as his toughest opponents, who enjoyed ample success against him, the 49-year-old has told PBD Podcast that he never once came close to losing a professional bout.
“I [would] go back to my corner and they’d say: We need to pick it up a little bit. So, I’d pick it up. No [nobody came close.] I’m Mayweather – everybody easy. If I don’t believe in myself, who’s gonna believe in me? I’m the best … You can’t talk boxing without talking Mayweather.”
The advice to “pick it up” may have been offered after he almost got dropped by Mosley, as Mayweather dominated the third round and handily won their contest.
In the past, Mayweather may not have said he was close to losing, but has praised the skill of Manny Pacquiao, the power of Victoriano Sosa and said Emanuel Augustus was his toughest opponent.
