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From Pacquiao to Canelo: Celebrating Floyd Mayweather's best wins on his 45th birthday

Mayweather

Mayweather retired with an undefeated record of 50-0, winning world titles in five divisions and became the most lucrative fighter of all-time.

Floyd Mayweather Jr is regarded by many as one of the greatest boxers of all time.
He finished his career with a perfect record of 50-0 with 27 KOs, which includes 15 major world titles won in five different weight classes.

But what are his standout victories? Below, Planet Sport takes a look at his five greatest wins to celebrate his 45th birthday.

5) Ricky Hatton

Mayweather faced Hatton in 2007 with the WBC welterweight title on the line. At the time, "The Hitman" had accumulated an impressive resume of 43 wins and no losses as well as a massive UK fan base that flew to America to support him.

Despite his relentless pressure and aggression, Hatton was completely outclassed by Mayweather's sharp counter-punching, speed, and boxing IQ.
In the 10th round, "Money" landed a phenomenal left hook to send Hatton headfirst into the corner. The Hitman bravely got up but Mayweather landed another flush left hook to claim a knockout.
Some may argue that Hatton was not one of the most talented fighters that Mayweather beat. However, the Brit was unbeaten and had an air of invincibility which the American dismantled.

4) Oscar De La Hoya

De La Hoya had an up-and-down boxing career but no one can deny the talent he possessed. The "Golden Boy" was a six-weight division world champion by the time he stepped in the ring with Mayweather.

The bout took place at super welterweight and De La Hoya was by far the bigger man - having previously competed at middleweight. Throughout the contest, De La Hoya imposed his physical strength and landed brutal body shots.
Mayweather showed heart, toughness, and a granite chin to win a 12-round split-decision in an outstanding fight.
This victory allowed Mayweather to attain his first title at super welterweight and become a five-weight world champion.

3) Diego Corrales

Corrales was 33-0 and a world champion at super featherweight when he faced Mayweather. Only 24-0, Mayweather displayed why he would go on to become one of the best fighters of his generation.
Chico was the taller man in the ring and more experienced, yet Mayweather showed phenomenal hand speed to land vicious combinations throughout the fight.
Mayweather managed to knock Corrales down three times in the seventh round - the first and second were stunning left hooks whereas the third knockdown came from a flurry of punches.
In the 10th round, Corrales was knocked down for a fifth time by a sharp right hand which prompted his team to stop the fight.
Mayweather dominated the entire contest and decimated an opponent who had previously never been knocked down.
Corrales went on to attain a world title at lightweight and defeat the legendary Jose Luis Castillo later on in his career. Therefore, Mayweather's performance was a testament to his incredible boxing prowess.

2) Manny Pacquiao

Following years of speculation and debate about who the best welterweight in the world was, Mayweather-Pacquiao finally took place in 2015 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

At this point Pacquiao had already accumulated five losses on his record, nonetheless, many believed he was the superior fighter to the undefeated Mayweather.

This was billed as the Fight of the Century although it didn't live up to expectations. Mayweather started the fight more brightly by landing a couple of powerful right hands in the first round and exhibiting crisp counter-punching in the early rounds to follow.
Pacquiao's best moment of the fight came in round four where he landed a straight left hand on Mayweather's chin and unleashed a barrage of punches while "Money" was on the ropes.
For the rest of the bout, Pacquaio continued to have occasional success by backing up Mayweather and landing the odd left hand. Regardless, Mayweather always seemed in control of the fight and hit Pacquiao with several straight right hands while being extraordinarily evasive.
Mayweather won clearly on all three judges' scorecards to prove the doubters wrong and add another fantastic victory to his resume. The most impressive element of this win was Mayweather's ability to stay composed and outbox a very dangerous fighter.
Pacquiao had brilliant hand speed and was able to land some clean shots, yet Mayweather outboxed him with clever punch selection and head movement.

1) Canelo Alvarez

Canelo was only 23 years old when he fought Mayweather but he already had 42 victories and won a couple of world titles at super welterweight. Not to mention, an astonishing number of Mexican fans.

Mayweather dominated the Mexican superstar from start to finish and some experts believe he won every single round. Alvarez had no answer for Mayweather's hand speed and counter-punching, landing a limited number of clean shots.
This was Mayweather's most complete performance as he was able to push Canelo back and showcase his offensive skills. If the Mexican was not blessed with such a strong chin, Mayweather could have forced a stoppage.
Apart from the performance itself, what Alvarez has gone to achieve as a fighter is a compliment to Mayweather's greatness.

Canelo is the current Pound for Pound king and has just become the first boxer to become undisputed at super middleweight. Plus, there is speculation he could move up to cruiserweight and fight Ilunga Makabu in an attempt to become a five-weight world champion.

Alvarez was not the fighter he is now when he fought Mayweather. Still, the history that Canelo is making only further enhances the reputation of Mayweather who remains as the only boxer to defeat him in a boxing ring.

Read more: Can Gervonta Davis reach superstardom without taking on elite fighters?

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