“Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather Jr will be the next boxer to show America his fancy footwork on “Dancing with the Stars.” Undefeated in his professional career, Mayweather is the son of boxer Floyd Mayweather Sr. and is the nephew of both Jeff Mayweather, a former IBO super featherweight champion, and Roger Mayweather (his current trainer), a former two-division world champion. Mayweather has beaten many current and former world champions including Sharmba Mitchell, Arturo Gatti, Demarcus Corley, Jose Luis Castillo, Jesus Chavez , Carlos Hernandez, Diego Corrales, Goyo Vargas, and Genaro “Chicanito” Hernandez.

Floyd was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on February 24, 1977. He has had a very successful boxing career. His father taught him defensive techniques, which generally prevents him from getting cuts or bruises during matches, earning him the nickname “Pretty Boy” when he was still an amateur. He uses the old-school technique of the shoulder roll frequently. This stance has his right hand being held higher than normal, allowing him to block punches while his left hand is held down, and closer to his midsection.

His amateur record was 84-6. He won the Golden Gloves championship in 1993, 1994, and 1996. Mayweather won a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. His semifinal bout was surrounded with controversy, so much so that the U.S. boxing team officially protested. Many who saw the bout, including the referee who had accidentally raised Mayweather’s hand in victory when the decision was read, believe that Mayweather had won.

Mayweather went professional when he was 19. His first fight was on October 11, 1996 against Roberto Apodaca, who he knocked out in the second round. At 21, he won the WBC super featherweight world title. That same year, he was awarded The Ring’s “Fighter of the Year’ award.

In 2002, Mayweather won the WBC lightweight title, when he defended three times successfully before moving up to the 140-pound weight division. On June 25, 2005, Mayweather fought Auturo Gatti for the WBC junior welterweight championship. Gatti’s corner stopped the fight after six rounds and Mayweather was declared the champion.

On May 5, 2007, Mayweather fought Oscar De La Hoya for the WBC junior middleweight title. De La Hoya earned $52 million for the fight while Mayweather earned $25 million. Mayweather won by a split decision and improved his professional record to 28-0. Mayweather said in the ring after the fight that he planned to retire, but he plans to return to fight Ricky Hatton on December 8.2007 in Las Vegas.

In addition to boxing, Mayweather is also the owner of the record label Philthy Rich Records. The artist roster for the record label includes H-Flo, Postaboy, and Baggz Lombardi.

Mayweather will be dancing with Karina Smirnoff, five times U.S. National Champion and girlfriend of former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant Mario Lopez. Karina and Lopez finished second in the third season of the show. Last year, she partnered with country music star Billy Ray Cyrus. The couple was eliminated in seventh place.

Bookmark to: