Floyd Mayweather Jr., widely known as “The Best Ever,” is arguably the most iconic boxer of all time. Renowned for maintaining an unbeaten record throughout his career and even afterward, “Pretty Boy” competed across multiple divisions, emerging victorious in each. But, which weight category was the most suitable for Floyd Mayweather?
From Super Featherweight to Light Middleweight, Floyd Mayweather conquered five different weight categories during his extraordinary career and clinched numerous titles. The fact that nobody ever defeated him in his professional boxing tenure, spanning over two decades, is unparalleled. He remains undefeated even in exhibition matches!
Let’s explore all the weight divisions Floyd Mayweather competed in and determine which category suited him best in this post, along with key highlights from his illustrious career.
In Which Weight Divisions Did Floyd Mayweather Compete?
Floyd Mayweather Jr. competed in five weight categories during his professional boxing years from 1996 to 2017. He was triumphant in the Super Featherweight, Lightweight, Light Welterweight, Welterweight, and Light Middleweight divisions, capturing 15 major world championships.
These achievements include the WBC Super Featherweight champion, WBC Lightweight Champion, WBC Super Lightweight champion, IBF Welterweight champion, WBC Welterweight champion, WBC Light Middleweight champion, WBA (Super) Light Middleweight champion, WBA (Super) Welterweight champion, and WBO Welterweight champion.
Moreover, Mayweather is an Olympic bronze medalist from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He also claimed the Golden Gloves titles in the light flyweight, flyweight, and featherweight divisions in 1993, 1994, and 1996, respectively. Additionally, he won the U.S. national championship in the featherweight division.
Floyd Mayweather in the Super Featherweight Division:
Emerging from an amateur boxing career of 84 wins and 8 losses, with an Olympic bronze medal and three Golden Gloves titles, Floyd Mayweather began his professional career in 1996 against Robert Apodaca in the Super Featherweight division. He secured a comfortable win, initiating an undefeated streak.
“Pretty Boy Floyd Mayweather” engaged in 27 fights at Super Featherweight, delivering impressive knockout performances in his initial bouts, although the knockout rate declined later. Mayweather’s skills significantly improved after his father became his trainer following his 14th fight.
Within just two years of turning professional, he won his first world title by defeating the then World No. 1 Genaro Hernandez for the WBC Super Featherweight Championship (130 lbs). He successfully defended his title thrice in 1999 against Carlos Rico, Justin Juuko, and Carlos Garena.
He also faced Gregorio Vargas, Emanuel Burton, and former IBF Super Featherweight champion Diego Corrales. Both Corrales and Mayweather were undefeated before their encounter, but “Money” handed Diego his first professional loss in a challenging contest. Mayweather ended another undefeated streak in this division by defeating Jesus Chavez, who had a 31-fight winning streak.
Floyd Mayweather in the Lightweight Division:
Following a highly successful campaign in the Super Featherweight category, Mayweather sought to test his capabilities further and moved up to the Lightweight division. In 2002, he fought José Luis Castillo twice for the vacant WBC and Ring Magazine titles, first as a challenger, then as a champion.
Subsequently, he defended his WBC Lightweight title against Dominican Victoriano Sosa and the then-WBC #1-ranked contender Phillip N’dou. This accomplishment secured his place as the #5 ranked pound-for-pound boxer.
Floyd Mayweather in the Light Welterweight Division:
In 2004, Mayweather advanced to the Light Welterweight division, defeating former champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley in his debut bout. The following year, he overcame Henry Bruseles, positioning him as the mandatory challenger for the title.
On June 25, 2005, Floyd “Money” Mayweather triumphed over Arturo Gatti with overwhelming dominance to claim his third world title. Soon after, the Pretty Boy moved up another division, entering one of the most prosperous periods of his professional career.
Floyd Mayweather in the Welterweight Division:
In the Welterweight (147 lbs) division, Floyd Mayweather faced some of the industry’s biggest names, including Zab Judah, Ricky Hatton, Victor Ortiz, Shane Mosley, Marcos Maidana, Manny Pacquiao, and Andre Berto. Surmounting all challenges, he became the reigning Unified Welterweight champion, holding both the WBA and WBC titles.
First, he claimed the IBF Welterweight title by defeating Zab Judah, then he took down Baldomir for the WBC, The Ring, and Lineal Welterweight titles—at a time when Baldomir hadn’t lost a fight in eight years. He subsequently outperformed Oscar De la Hoya to capture the WBC Light Middleweight title.
In a surprising turn of events, Mayweather announced his retirement and relinquished his titles, only to make a comeback soon after to fight Light Welterweight champion Ricky Hatton. Following his victory over Hatton, Mayweather announced his retirement once more to focus on other endeavors.
regarding his promotion business.
Nonetheless, Mayweather emerged from retirement on May 02, 2009, to face The Ring lightweight champion Juan Manuel Márquez at a 144lbs catchweight. The bout was postponed until September 2009 due to a rib injury, but Mayweather ultimately secured a convincing victory by unanimous decision.
Mayweather subsequently squared off against Shane Mosley, Manny Pacquiao, and Victor Ortiz. Each of these matches became landmark non-heavyweight pay-per-view events in boxing history.
Floyd Mayweather in the Light Middleweight Division:
After an immensely successful career in the welterweight division, Mayweather ventured into the light middleweight category, achieving success by defeating icons such as Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Canelo Alvarez, and Conor McGregor. He also claimed the WBA, WBC, and Ring Magazine world titles at 154lbs.
In 2015, Mayweather put his Ring welterweight, WBC, and WBA (Super) titles on the line against WBA interim champion Andre Berto. Dominating once again, he decisively won the match, after which he announced his retirement and vacated his titles.
But Mayweather returned once more to fight MMA star Conor McGregor in August 2017 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. He triumphed over the Notorious MMA legend in one of the sport’s most financially successful events, after which he retired from professional boxing for good.
Floyd Mayweather in Professional & Exhibition Bouts:
Floyd Mayweather enjoyed a stellar career in boxing, from a remarkable amateur career to an undefeated professional streak, which he extended even after retiring through exhibition matches. Without a doubt, Mayweather is considered one of the best, if not the greatest, boxing legends ever.
Here are the career statistics and records of Floyd “Money” Mayweather:
- Record: 50-0-0
- Wins by KO: 54%
- DOB: February 24, 1977
- Stance: Orthodox
- Reach: 72 inches
- Height: 5-foot-8
- Current Weight: 155 lbs
- Status: Retired/Inactive
Following his professional boxing retirement, Floyd Mayweather participated in several exhibition bouts, maintaining his undefeated streak. He overcame Japanese undefeated kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, his former sparring partner Don Moore, and Japanese MMA star and YouTuber Mikuru Asakura.
He also defeated YouTuber Deji Olatunji and fought to a draw against internet personality Logan Paul. After the match, he complimented Paul by saying, “He’s better than I anticipated… a tough, resilient competitor.“
Final Take:
Pretty Boy Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather was undoubtedly ‘The Best Ever’ in boxing. The American icon competed across multiple weight classes, exemplifying his skill in each. The welterweight division, in particular, suited him best, where he reigned supreme in the 140-147lbs category.
Some of his most significant bouts occurred in this division later in his career. He outclassed opponents like Canelo Alvarez, Miguel Cotto, Oscar De La Hoya, and Conor McGregor in this weight category. Yet, he exhibited exceptional prowess in other divisions as well.
Hence, the title of “The Best Ever” for Mayweather is well-deserved. His legacy remains unparalleled.
Frequently Answered Questions:
Which weight class did Floyd Mayweather fight in primarily?:
Floyd Mayweather predominantly fought in the welterweight division, where he participated in many of his most memorable bouts. Nonetheless, he also contested numerous fights in other classes, including super featherweight, lightweight, light welterweight, and light middleweight.
What is the heaviest Floyd Mayweather fight?:
The heaviest weight Floyd Mayweather fought at was 151lbs for his match against Miguel Cotto for the 154lbs JMW title. Mayweather also battled Oscar De La Hoya in the same 154lbs category and faced Canelo Alvarez at a catchweight of 152 lbs. Post-retirement, Mayweather fought YouTuber Deji Olatunji in an exhibition bout at a catchweight of 175lbs.
What weight class did Mayweather fight Pacquiao?:
A: Floyd Mayweather fought Manny Pacquiao in the welterweight division (147lbs). Their match became the highest-grossing pay-per-view event in combat sports history, garnering approximately 4.6 million buys when Mayweather triumphed over Pacquiao via unanimous decision at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
What weight class did Mayweather fight McGregor?:
A: Floyd Mayweather fought Irish MMA star Conor McGregor in the light middleweight division (154lbs). This event marked McGregor’s debut in professional boxing and Mayweather’s final professional bout. The highly profitable event earned Mayweather around $300 million, while McGregor took home over $100 million.
Is Mayweather a heavyweight or lightweight?:
Floyd Mayweather is neither a heavyweight nor a lightweight fighter. He primarily competed in the welterweight division, which is slightly above the lightweight category and just below heavyweight. He also moved up to the light heavyweight division in the latter part of his professional career.