Boxing Hall of Famer Floyd Mayweather’s welterweight debut featured a nasty body shot that forced his opponent to quit.
Floyd Mayweather is known for his elite defensive boxing during his career and numerous world championship victories. But his welterweight debut showed killer instinct during a pivotal point in his rise.
Mayweather and Sharmba Mitchell squared off in Nov. 2005 as Mayweather looked to build off of his 34-0 boxing record. The Mitchell fight came to fruition just months after Mayweather finished Arturo Gatti for the WBC super lightweight championship.
Mayweather overwhelmed Mitchell in the early rounds of their fight. His movement was on point as he frustrated Mitchell throughout the action, slowly dissipating Mitchell’s confidence and game plan.
Floyd Mayweather collapsed Sharmba Mitchell with one body shot
In the sixth round, Mayweather forced Mitchell against the ropes and threw a beautifully timed straight right to the body that put Mitchell to his knees. The fight was immediately waved off as Mitchell couldn’t continue competing.
At the time of the Mitchell fight, many questioned why Mayweather would move up to welterweight after sustained success at featherweight and lightweight. The win over Mitchell propelled him to future welterweight victories against the likes of Zab Judah and Ricky Hatton.
Mayweather went on to earn championships at welterweight and light middleweight moving forward in his boxing career. He professionally retired after a TKO win over UFC superstar Conor McGregor in Aug. 2017.
Floyd Mayweather’s GOAT case questioned by an all-time great
Mayweather’s undefeated boxing record isn’t respected by all parties. Roy Jones Jr. dismissed Mayweather’s unbeaten run after he abruptly retired, and questioned Mayweather’s case as the greatest boxer of all time.
Despite his retirement from professional boxing, Mayweather remains active in exhibitions, most recently against John Gotti III. He fought Logan Paul in a 2021 exhibition that captivated fans and critics of his career.
20 years after the Mitchell knockout, boxing fans continue to be in awe of Mayweather’s greatness during his career. While his GOAT case can be debated, what can’t is his technical brilliance inside the ring.
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