Floyd Mayweather added the WBO Welterweight title to his collection after beating Manny Pacquiao in arguably boxing’s biggest fight ever.
When Floyd Mayweather took on Manny Pacquiao in 2015, the entire boxing world was watching. It may have been six years later than expected, but these two all-time great fighters finally battling in the ring was a sight to behold.
The pair went the distance, although Mayweather comfortably beat Pacquiao on points, and it was the money generated in the fight that became legendary.
Reportedly, the fight generated over $600 million in income, making it the highest-grossing fight in the history of boxing.
Despite Mayweather taking home a reported $180 million purse for the fight, a fine of 0.1% of that cost him the title he worked so hard to win.
Floyd Mayweather was stripped of his title for refusing to pay a $200,000 fine
Months after his big-money win over Pacquiao, Mayweather was stripped of his WBO Welterweight title for a very avoidable reason.
Despite earning $180 million for his part in the bout, Mayweather failed to pay a $200,000 fine in the months following the historic bout.
WBO rules state that the champion must pay a portion of their fight purse as a fine after their fights, with a maximum payment of $200,000 – almost 0.1% of the money they made.
Mayweather seemingly refused and was stripped of the WBO Welterweight title, with interim champion Timothy Bradley made the undisputed champion after “Money’s” short run as the champion.
In addition to the payment, Mayweather would have had to give up his Light-Middleweight titles if he wanted to continue as Welterweight champion, despite already holding the WBA, WBC, and The Ring belts at that weight class.
He decided to remain a multi-weight champion, refuse to pay the $200,000 fee for competing, and give up the WBO Welterweight belt after a short run as their champion.
Floyd Mayweather retired after his next fight, before returning to face Conor McGregor
WBO didn’t really need to worry much about Mayweather being their champion, as he retired from boxing following his next title defense.
Just months after beating Pacquiao, the American boxer defended his remaining Welterweight bouts against Andre Berto.
Mayweather won the bout, going 49-0 to match Rocky Marciano’s record, as the legendary boxer announced his retirement in the ring following the fight.
He left the sport as the undefeated champion, but Mayweather would make one last return to the ring in 2017.
His comeback fight was against UFC star Conor McGregor, with their crossover fight doing the second-biggest buyrate in boxing history, just behind Mayweather vs Pacquiao.