Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Floyd Mayweather Jr..

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a retired American professional boxer and current boxing promoter. He competed from 1996 to 2017, retiring undefeated with 15 major world championships across five weight classes. He also won the Ring magazine title in three weight classes. As an amateur, Mayweather earned a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics and multiple U.S. Golden Gloves and national championships. After retiring from professional boxing, he transitioned to exhibition bouts.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1993: National Golden Gloves championship

In 1993, Floyd Mayweather Jr. won a national Golden Gloves championship (at 106 lb).

1994: National Golden Gloves championship

In 1994, Floyd Mayweather Jr. won a national Golden Gloves championship (at 114 lb).

1996: Bronze Medal at the 1996 Olympics

At the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Floyd Mayweather Jr. won a bronze medal by reaching the semi-finals of the featherweight (57-kg) division.

1996: First 1996 U.S. Olympian to win a world title

In 1996 Mayweather became the first U.S. Olympian to win a world title. Bob Arum said that "Floyd Mayweather is the successor in a line that starts with Ray Robinson, goes to Muhammad Ali, then Sugar Ray Leonard".

1996: 1996 Olympics and Start of Professional Career

In 1996, Floyd Mayweather Jr. won a bronze medal at the Olympics and started his professional boxing career.

1996: National Golden Gloves championship

In 1996, Floyd Mayweather Jr. won a national Golden Gloves championship (at 125 lb).

1998: Ranked #8 Pound-for-Pound and Fighter of the Year

By the end of 1998, Floyd Mayweather Jr. was ranked by The Ring as the #8-ranked pound-for-pound best boxer in the world, and became one of the youngest recipients of The Ring's Fighter of the Year award at age 21.

1998: Early Professional Career Success

From 1996 to early 1998, Floyd Mayweather Jr. won most of his fights by knockout or TKO.

1998: First World Title Victory

In 1998, Floyd Mayweather Jr. decisively won his first world title (the WBC super featherweight (130 lb) championship) with an eighth-round technical knockout of Genaro Hernández.

1998: The Ring magazine's Fighter of the Year award

In 1998, Floyd Mayweather Jr. was awarded The Ring magazine's Fighter of the Year award.

1999: Continued Domination of Super Featherweight Division

In 1999, Floyd Mayweather Jr. continued his domination of the super featherweight division by defending his title three more times, including a unanimous decision against Carlos Rios.

1999: Title Defenses and Rankings in 1999

In 1999, Mayweather continued defending his title, including wins against Justin Juuko and Carlos Gerena. By the end of 1999, he was ranked The Ring's #2 pound-for-pound best boxer in the world, behind Roy Jones Jr.

May 26, 2001: Retained WBC super-featherweight title

On May 26, 2001, fighting in his hometown of Grand Rapids, Mayweather beat Carlos Hernández by unanimous decision, despite suffering hand injuries.

April 19, 2003: WBC Lightweight Title Defense

On April 19, 2003, Floyd Mayweather Jr. defended his WBC lightweight title in a unanimous decision over Victoriano Sosa.

2003: End of 2003 Rankings

By the end of 2003, Floyd Mayweather was still The Ring's lightweight champion and the #5-ranked best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

January 22, 2005: Victory over Henry Bruseles

On January 22, 2005, Floyd Mayweather Jr. fought Henry Bruseles, winning by TKO in the eighth round, becoming the mandatory challenger for Gatti's WBC light welterweight championship.

June 25, 2005: Mayweather vs. Gatti

On June 25, 2005, Floyd Mayweather Jr. fought Arturo Gatti in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Mayweather dominated the fight, leading to Gatti's corner stopping the fight after round six, awarding Mayweather his third world title.

November 19, 2005: Mayweather vs. Mitchell

On November 19, 2005, Floyd Mayweather Jr. fought Sharmba Mitchell in a non-title welterweight bout. Mayweather won by TKO after knocking Mitchell down twice, once in round three and again in round six.

April 8, 2006: Mayweather Defeats Judah for IBF Welterweight Title

On April 8, 2006, Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeated Zab Judah in a unanimous decision to win the IBF welterweight title. The fight was marred by a late-round foul by Judah and a subsequent melee involving their corners. Mayweather dominated after the fifth round, securing the victory despite the earlier controversy.

May 5, 2007: Mayweather vs. De La Hoya

On May 5, 2007, Floyd Mayweather Jr. fought Oscar De La Hoya for De La Hoya's WBC light-middleweight title. Mayweather moved up in weight for the fight, which set records for PPV buys (2.4 million) and revenue ($120 million). De La Hoya earned $58 million, and Mayweather earned about $25 million.

2007: Fighter of the Year Awards

In 2007, Floyd Mayweather Jr. won The Ring magazine's Fighter of the Year award and the BWAA Fighter of the Year award.

2010: Best Fighter ESPY Award

In 2010, Floyd Mayweather Jr. won the Best Fighter ESPY Award.

2012: Highest-Paid Athlete of 2012

In 2012, Floyd Mayweather Jr. topped the Forbes and Sports Illustrated lists of the 50 highest-paid athletes.

2012: Best Fighter ESPY Award

In 2012, Floyd Mayweather Jr. won the Best Fighter ESPY Award.

September 14, 2013: Mayweather vs. Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez Championship Bout

On September 14, 2013, Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeated Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez by majority decision at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the WBC and WBA Super welterweight titles. Mayweather received a record $41.5 million. The fight had a catchweight of 152 pounds. One judge controversially scored the fight a draw, while the other two favored Mayweather.

2013: Highest-Paid Athlete of 2013

In 2013, Floyd Mayweather Jr. topped the Forbes and Sports Illustrated lists of the 50 highest-paid athletes.

2013: BWAA Fighter of the Year award

In 2013, Floyd Mayweather Jr. won the BWAA Fighter of the Year award.

2014: Forbes Highest-Paid Athlete of 2014

In 2014, Floyd Mayweather Jr. topped the Forbes list as the highest-paid athlete in the world.

2014: Best Fighter ESPY Award

In 2014, Floyd Mayweather Jr. won the Best Fighter ESPY Award.

May 2, 2015: Mayweather vs. Pacquiao Fight

On May 2, 2015, Mayweather fought Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, winning via unanimous decision. The fight failed to live up to expectations for many observers.

2015: Forbes Highest-Paid Athlete of 2015

In 2015, Floyd Mayweather Jr. topped the Forbes list as the highest-paid athlete in the world.

2015: BWAA Fighter of the Year award

In 2015, Floyd Mayweather Jr. won the BWAA Fighter of the Year award.

2016: ESPN Ranked Mayweather

In 2016, ESPN ranked Floyd Mayweather Jr. the greatest boxer, pound for pound, of the last 25 years.

2018: Highest-Paid Athlete in the World

In 2018, Floyd Mayweather Jr. was the highest-paid athlete in the world, with total earnings, including endorsements, of $285 million, according to Forbes.

2021: Induction into International Boxing Hall of Fame

In 2021, Floyd Mayweather Jr. was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

2021: Sportico All-Time Athlete Earnings List

In November 2021, Sportico released an all-time athlete earnings list, in which Floyd Mayweather Jr. ranked no. 6 all time, totaling an inflation-adjusted $1.2 billion in his career.