Floyd Mayweather has named his toughest opponent, and it's not who you'd expect. The boxing legend, known for his perfect 50-0 record and 15 world titles across five weight classes, didn't pick megastars like Manny Pacquiao or Canelo Alvarez. Instead, he chose Emanuel Augustus, a fighter with a less impressive record but an unforgettable style.
Mayweather, who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2021, made this surprising revelation in a recent interview with FightHype. He said, "Emanuel Augustus was my toughest opponent."
The fight in question took place on October 21, 2000, in Detroit. At the time, Mayweather was a 23-year-old rising star with a 23-0 record. Augustus, nicknamed "The Drunken Master," entered the ring with a 22-16-4 record. Despite the disparity in their records, Augustus gave Mayweather a run for his money.
Augustus's unorthodox style, which included taunting, dancing, and throwing punches from unusual angles, made him a tricky opponent. Mayweather won by TKO in the 9th round, but not before facing a serious challenge.
After the fight, Mayweather said, "He's a true warrior, a true champion. Good fight. He's a tough motherf*****. I had to dig deep." This praise from the usually confident Mayweather shows just how much Augustus pushed him.
Mayweather's career is filled with big names and tough fights. He faced Manny Pacquiao's movement in 2015 and Miguel Cotto's strength in 2012. But Augustus stands out for the sheer grind of their encounter.
"His record didn't show his skill-set, but the guy was unbelievable," Mayweather said about Augustus. He added, "Before the fight, I heard he had got robbed [by bad decisions] a lot of times-and I believe that's true."
Augustus ended his career in 2011 with a record of 38-34-6, retiring after a fight against Vernon Paris. While his record might not impress at first glance, the fact that he left such a mark on Mayweather's career speaks volumes about his skill and tenacity.
Fans on social media have reacted to Mayweather's revelation with enthusiasm. One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, "Augustus made Floyd work like nobody else!" Another chimed in, "Floyd vs. Augustus is underrated fire!"
Mayweather's career stats are impressive, with 24 million pay-per-view buys and $1.67 billion in revenue. But his acknowledgment of Augustus shows respect for the unsung heroes of boxing.
This revelation gives fans a new perspective on Mayweather's career. It's a reminder that sometimes, it's not the biggest names or the most hyped fights that leave the deepest impact. In this case, a quirky underdog left the biggest mark on the Hall of Famer's career.
