Carl Froch is one of many in the sport to questions a win Floyd Mayweather was given during his storied career.
Mayweather was a decorated amateur who won a bronze medal in the featherweight division at the 1996 Olympics as well as several national titles.
As soon as he turned pro, he was moved fast through the ranks and by his 18th fight he beat Genaro Hernández to pick up his first world honours in the shape of the WBC featherweight belt.
After eight defences he moved up to collect the WBC and Ring Magazine lightweight titles and, across the rest of his campaign, he won straps at super lightweight, welterweight and super-welterweight.
Mayweather was named the 2010’s Fighter of the Decade and held the lineal championship in four weight divisions. He fought a real who’s who of stars across the divisions including the likes of Canelo Alvarez, Manny Pacquiao, Ricky Hatton and José Luis Castillo, twice.
Famously, he ended his career with 50 fights, 50 wins, and 27 knockouts.In his Sky Sports column before Mayweather fought Pacquiao, however, Froch claimed the first points wins against Castillo in 2002 was lucky.
“Yes, he won the rematch quite simply a few months later, but he should have been given the loss on that record. The way Castillo kept up the constant pressure and aggression has got to be the way Pacquiao goes, but I have a feeling the Castillo fight might have been that one chance to beat him.
“The vast majority of top professionals have been beaten and I think Castillo gave him the wake-up call he needed. We all know we can be beaten and we all know we are beatable, but he is a hard worker, he’s a grafter in the gym and he is such a healthy guy. We will not see that Mayweather again.”
Froch was right in that Mayweather was rarely if ever run as close to a loss as he was that night against Castillo. Compubox found that Castillo out-landed the American overall and with power punches. Whilst most felt the scores of 115–111, 115-111 and 116–111 were too wide, there are many in the sport who still believe ‘Money’ Mayweather did enough to win.
In the rematch, he was again pushed by the talented Castillo but, despite the cards being closer, put on a more impressive display to earn the win.
