Floyd Mayweather's perfect 50-0 record has come under scrutiny due to a disputed win over José Luis Castillo in 2002. The fight, which took place in Las Vegas, marked Mayweather's debut in the lightweight division and his challenge for the WBC Championship.
Mayweather, known as "The Best Ever," built a career as a defensive boxing master. He won belts across five divisions and beat big names like Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. But his fight with Castillo stands out as a point of debate.
The bout went the full twelve rounds, with Mayweather getting the unanimous decision. At the time, Mayweather had 27 fights under his belt and had just moved up from super featherweight. Castillo was the reigning WBC Lightweight Champion.
Many fans, rival fighters, and analysts felt Castillo should have won. Even 18 years after the fight, Castillo told Ricardo Arvizu:
"In the eyes of the world, of the fans, I won. Unfortunately in the eyes of the judges, I did not. But I have always said that it's not an excuse, much less, because boxing is appreciated, but millions of people cannot be wrong; it is easier for three million to be wrong."
Castillo still takes great pride in the fight. He often replays it to remind himself he beat a legend. Before their clash, Castillo saw Mayweather as a good boxer but not yet a superstar. He said:
"Floyd Mayweather had very good credentials, he was an Olympic boxer, but he was not the monster that he later became based on titles and fights."
The Mexican boxer even showed the fight to his 9-year-old son, who was surprised by his dad's performance against the boxing great.
Mayweather quickly signed for a rematch due to the controversy. In the second fight, Mayweather won on all three scorecards with little protest from viewers.
Despite the controversy, Mayweather's career took off after these fights. Castillo acknowledges this, saying, "Floyd Mayweather became a monster later on."
This disputed win remains a talking point in Mayweather's otherwise spotless record, showing that even in a sport of clear knockouts, some victories can be less than clear-cut.
