In the world of professional boxing, confidence is key; and when it comes to fighters with absolute faith in their abilities, Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather reigns supreme.
The iconic five-division world champion might be remembered as one of the best boxers in history, but he’s also one of the most arrogant athletes to have ever competed inside the squared circle.
That was evident, more than ever, during his 2005 showdown with Henry Bruseles – a bout in which ‘Money’ took a mid-fight break to offer his prediction for an upcoming NFL game.
Floyd Mayweather made mid-fight NFL pick before scoring brutal KO
The year is 2005 and Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather has already secured the Super-Featherweight and Lightweight titles, garnering a perfect professional record of 32-0.
Yet as he chased Arturo Gatti and Super-Lightweight lineage, he was forced to accept a matchup against a relatively unknown Puerto Rican fighter called Henry Bruseles in a WBC title eliminator.
The gulf between the two in terms of speed, skill, power, reaction time and almost every other facet was obvious straight from the opening bell; with Mayweather battering Bruseles and winning every round with ease.
The fight was so one-sided that the commentary team began discussing the upcoming NFL game between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers, which was set for just 24 hours later.
Hearing the broadcast booth’s conversation, Mayweather would interject from the other side of the ropes – “I like the Patriots,” he said as he moved into space, adding “I like Michael Vick.”
Just a few minutes later, Mayweather dropped Bruseles twice in quick succession, before the Puerto Rican’s corner threw in the towel; ‘Money’ moved to 33-0 and secured his title showdown with Gatti.
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Floyd Mayweather added another title to his mantlepiece five months later
Just a few months after that viral TKO victory over Bruseles, Mayweather would find himself standing opposite WBC Super Lightweight champion Arturo Gatti.
Despite this being his PPV debut, Mayweather showed no signs of nervousness, although it wasn’t long before the title fight took a controversial turn.
With 30 seconds left of the opening round, Mayweather would lean over Gatti from the clinch and landed two shots as the Canadian looked to separate.
As Gatti turned his attention to the referee to complain over the strikes, Mayweather would leap in with a powerful hook that dropped the champion.
Several members of the Gatti corner jumped to their feet in protest, especially after the referee counted it as a knockdown – and things only went downhill from there.
Six rounds later, Gatti’s corner would throw in the towel, with Mayweather out-landing the champion 186-41 in significant punches: a truly dominant display, and certainly not the last of his outstanding career.