Floyd "Pretty Boy" Mayweather

Perhaps the premier pound-for-pound boxer of this era and without question the most talented, "Pretty Boy" Floyd Mayweather brings an intriguing mix of speed, power, and a warrior's instincts into each of his bouts-a combination that has translated to 38 wins without a loss, 24 knockouts, and world championships in five weight classes.

Fresh off his historic victory over "The Golden Boy" Oscar De La Hoya in their record-breaking May 5th battle at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, and with a newly added junior middleweight title to his trophy case, Mayweather is comfortable being at the top of the sport.

"My goal is to be one of the best fighters who ever lived," he said. "My career and legacy are very important to me and I feel I am already ranked among the best there ever where in the sport."

Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mayweather was born into a boxing family. His father, Floyd Sr. was a former welterweight contender who fought Hall of Famer Sugar Ray Leonard, and his uncles, Roger and Jeff, were also pro fighters, with Roger - Floyd's current trainer - winning two world championships in his prime.

Fitted with boxing gloves while he was still a toddler, Floyd started boxing at the age of seven, and his acumen for the hardest game was obvious from the start. He would go on to compile an 84-6 amateur record while earning three Michigan Golden Gloves titles, three National Golden Gloves titles, PAL and National Championships, and an Olympic Bronze medal in the 1996 Games.

In those Atlanta Games, Mayweather roared through his first three foes, including Lorenzo Aragon of Cuba. With that win, Mayweather became the first US boxer in 20 years to defeat a fighter from Cuba. But in the semi-finals, Mayweather would drop a highly controversial 10-9 decision to Bulgaria's Serafim Todorov, a bout most observers believed he won.

He has not lost since.

Turning pro in the super featherweight division on October 11, 1996, Mayweather blitzed Roberto Apodaca in just two rounds, and his journey to greatness was underway. After one more win in 1996, Mayweather went 10-0 with 9 knockouts in 1997, and added five more wins to his ledger in the first half of 1998. Fight fans were chomping at the bit to see the ultra-talented Mayweather in with the elite at 130 pounds, and on October 3, 1998, they got their chance when the 21-year old faced off against Genaro Hernandez for 'Chicanito's WBC world championship.

It was no contest as Mayweather battered the veteran with blinding combinations, pitching a near shutout before the fight was stopped after the eighth round. Floyd Mayweather was a world champion.

But any great champion will tell you that winning a title is one thing - defending it is another, and Mayweather, despite his physical gifts, showed his desire for greatness by outworking his opponents in the gym and gaining a reputation as one of the hardest workers in the sport.

This work paid off as Mayweather defended his super featherweight title eight times from 1998 to 2001, defeating Angel Manfredy (TKO2), Carlos Rios (W12), Justin Juuko (KO9), Carlos Gerena (TKO7), Gregorio Vargas (W12), Diego Corrales (TKO10), Carlos Hernandez (W12), and Jesus Chavez (TKO9). Corrales, Hernandez, and Chvez would all go on to win world titles after their one-sided losses to Mayweather.

With 130 pounds cleaned out, Mayweather sought new challenges at 135 pounds, and he got it in his WBC lightweight championship match against Mexico's tough Jose Luis Castillo on April 20, 2002. But after 12 hard-fought rounds, Mayweather had won his second world crown.

"I was outboxing him easy," said Mayweather. "He was tough and it was a good learning experience for me."

Fight fans clamored for a rematch though, and "Pretty Boy" Floyd answered their call in his very next fight less than eight months later, repeated his 12 round decision win over Castillo.

"I told you it would be easy this time," said Mayweather. "My plan was to box more, no power shots, be smart."

He went on to defend the lightweight title twice more, over Victoriano Sosa (W12) and Phillip N'dou (TKO7), before testing the waters at 140 pounds.

In the junior welterweight division, Mayweather immediately made his presence known with a dominating 12 round decision win over former world champion DeMarcus Corley on May 22, 2004, and after an eighth round stoppage of Henry Bruseles to kick off 2005, Mayweather made his debut as a pay-per-view headliner on June 25, 2005, and he walked through rugged Arturo Gatti in just six rounds to win the WBC 140-pound championship.

"I told the fans I prepared for this physically and mentally," said Mayweather. "I respect Arturo Gatti for giving me the chance. He's a tough guy, strong guy, but tonight I was the better man. I boxed, stuck to the game plan, and got the victory."

Mayweather didn't spend much time at junior welterweight though, as he immediately jumped up to the welterweight division to take on the best in yet another weight class. Floyd kicked off his 147-pound campaign with a sixth round TKO of former world champion Sharmba Mitchell on November 19, 2005, and on April 8, 2006, he would face former friend Zab Judah in a highly-anticipated grudge match. But despite the bad blood between the two, Mayweather was a cool customer in the ring as he cruised to an easy 12 round decision win to earn the IBF welterweight title.

Not satisfied with just one belt, Mayweather finished off a stellar 2006 campaign with a 12 round near-shutout over Carlos Baldomir to add the WBC welterweight crown to his resume. His last fight, the epic conquering of De La Hoya in their May 5 super fight, launched an incredible 2007 crusade destined for history books. Now he will finish out the year with a challenge against the formidable British icon Ricky Hatton on Saturday, December 8 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, in an attempt to continue his brilliance and boxing legacy.

Source: HBO Mayweather Bio