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Floyd Mayweather's six most memorable fights

Floyd Mayweather
Image: Floyd Mayweather Jr says he is retiring after 49 wins in 49 fights

Floyd Mayweather has said that is that.

After a record-equalling 49th professional win, the man called 'Money' is calling it a day at the age of 38.

We have picked six fights that he will be remembered for...

Manny Pacquiao

Floyd Mayweather Jr. throws a left at Manny Pacquiao during their welterweight unification championship bout on May 2, 2015.

The Basics

When: May 2, 2015
Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
What for: WBC, WBO & WBA Super welterweight titles
Was called: Fight of the Century
Result: Won Unanimous decision

Love it or loathe it, it was the 'Fight of the Century'. Many said it should have happened five years ago but once Manny Pacquiao signed up to finally take on Mayweather, it was something else - and something we are unlikely to see again for a while.

The world's media were in Vegas ahead of what turned out to be a polite and well-planned fight week build-up, but when May 2 finally arrived, the world seemed to stop and watch.

Tickets were impossible to buy, the Philippines had to turn their fridges off to prepare for the power surge when their hero got in the ring and the ringside seats saw the famous celebrities and fighters back in big-time boxing.

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My last fight is in September and after that, I am hanging them up. When the history books are written, it was worth the wait.
Floyd Mayweather

The fight itself might have been an anti-climax and after about two minutes of the first round, Mayweather was in complete control. Pacquiao kept trying to close him down but simply couldn't. In the sixth, they both landed shots and opened up and for the first - and last time - it looked like they both wanted it.

Mayweather certainly did and by the 10th, the tongue was hanging out in what was a defensive masterclass from the world's best. Mayweather took it 116-112, 118-110, 116-112 while Pacquiao thought he'd won and then told the post-fight press conference a severe shoulder injury almost stopped it happening - as Mayweather made it to 48-0.

Saul Alvarez

The Basics

When: September 14, 2013
Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
What for: WBC & WBA super-welterweight titles
Was called: The One
Result: Won Majority Decision

The rising Mexican star was expected to pose a serious threat to Mayweather's unbeaten record, particularly as the American was stepping up to light-middleweight to face the bullish 'Canelo'. But Alvarez could not impose his physical strength on the slippery 36-year-old and was made to look crude on occasions during his humbling 12-round lesson.

Controlling the fight with his stiff jab and sharp counters, Mayweather cruised through the early rounds and even bullied the bigger man at times, trapping Alvarez briefly in the corner with a flurry of sharp punches.

I'm not in control of what the judges do. I am in shock whoever had it even. Things happen in the sport of boxing.
Floyd Mayweather

Alvarez did appear to snatch a couple of rounds with his desperate work-rate, but many expected Mayweather to take a clear decision win after his dominance was ended by the final bell.

Somehow, judge CJ Ross managed to score the fight as a 114-114 draw, but thankfully common sense prevailed among the other two judges, who handed 'Money' victory with scores of 116-112 and 117-111.

Miguel Cotto

Floyd Mayweather (L) backs away from a right from Miguel Cotto during of their WBA super welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 5, 2

The Basics

When: May 5, 2012
Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
What for: WBA super-welterweight titles
Was called: Ring Kings
Result: Won Unanimous Decision

Mayweather was pitted against a dangerous foe in the form of Cotto, who had proven himself in a string of brutal battles.

The Puerto Rican had revived his career with a revenge win over Antonio Margarito and questions were raised about whether he could drag Mayweather into a gruelling dogfight. But Cotto found it hard to avoid his opponent's precise jab in the early rounds and received a series of sharp rights in the fourth, briefly halting his march forward.

You're a hell of a champion. You're the toughest guy I ever fought.
Mayweather to Cotto

Despite this steady punishment, Cotto continued to pursue his elusive foe, finally getting through with a flurry of punches in the eighth that left Mayweather with a bloodied nose.

But Floyd would have the last word as he wobbled Cotto in the closing minutes with a jolting uppercut, and all three judges handed him victory with scores of 117-111, 117-111 and 118-110.

Juan Manuel Marquez 

Floyd Mayweather v Juan Manuel Marquez

The Basics

When: September 19, 2009
Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
What for: No titles
Was called: Number 1
Result: Won Unanimous Decision

Mayweather's meeting with Marquez would create further debate about whether the American was a superior fighter to pound-for-pound rival Pacquiao.

Marquez's stunning stoppage of Pacquiao would occur years later, but he had pushed 'Pac-Man' in two close points defeats, while their first fight ended in a draw. The Mexican had out-thought and out-fought a list of high-calibre opponents, and would test Mayweather's reflexes following a 21-month break from the sport. Returning from his brief retirement, Mayweather quickly shed any ring rust, flooring Marquez in the second round with a lightning left hook.

He's a great little man. He was really hard to fight, and he kept taking some unbelievable shots.
Mayweather on Marquez

By the midway stage, Marquez was sporting a bloody nose and a frustrated expression, with Mayweather piling on more spiteful punches in the sixth round.

Mayweather grinned whenever Marquez enjoyed brief success with his own punches and coasted to victory with wide tallies of 120-107, 119-108 and 118-109.

Ricky Hatton

Floyd Mayweather beats Rickt Hatton

The Basics

When: December 8, 2007
Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
What for: WBC world welterweight title
Was called: Undefeated
Result: Won 10-round Technical Knockout

The hugely popular Mancunian was handed a shot at Mayweather after calling out the American in the wake of a crushing win over Jose Luis Castillo.

Hatton had overwhelmed many of his opponents with his all-action style and both men were attempting to preserve their proud unbeaten records. An often humorous war of words between the duo added spice to the contest and Hatton would bring a legion of fans with him to Las Vegas.

He kept coming and I see why they call him the Hitman. He's one hell of a fighter.
Mayweather on Hatton

The British support sparked into life in the opening round after Mayweather was wobbled by a stiff jab, but Hatton's attempts to fight at close-quarters were continually interrupted by over-zealous referee Joe Cortez. Harshly docked a point in the sixth, Hatton was becoming increasingly reckless as he slipped behind on the scorecards.

His desperation would prove his undoing as the 'Hitman' was heavily floored by a huge hook in the 10th round and was rescued by Cortez as he staggered to the canvas for a second time. 

Oscar De La Hoya

Floyd Mayweather beat Oscar de la Hoya

The Basics

When: May 5, 2007
Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
What for: WBC world super-welterweight title
Was called: The World Awaits
Result: Won Split Decision

When this showdown between two of the sport's superstars was announced, there were suggestions that the 'Golden Boy' would be too big and possibly even too good for Mayweather.

De La Hoya's reputation had been slightly tarnished by a stoppage defeat against Bernard Hopkins, but he still possessed a hurtful left hook and Mayweather appeared to be giving away all the physical advantages. These concerns appeared well founded in the early rounds as the 34-year-old De La Hoya forced the Michigan man back with a spiteful attack to the body.

It was a hell of a fight but it was easy work for me. I out-punched him, I out-boxed him.
Mayweather on De la Hoya

Mayweather, for once, appeared vulnerable during this early onslaught until he stemmed the tide in the fifth, uncorking a sharp right hand which made De La Hoya's legs dip.

Maintaining his body attack, De La Hoya tried to blast through Mayweather's tight defences, but was continually caught by razor-sharp counters. Mayweather appeared to pace the fight to perfection, gradually outworking his tiring foe, who was wobbled by a big right in the closing seconds.

Respected ringside observers had the fight close and the scorecards confirmed this, Tom Kaczmarek's 115-113 in favour of De La Hoya overruled by Chuck Giampa's 116-112 and Jerry Roth's 115-113 for Mayweather.

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