30 little-known facts about Floyd Mayweather Jr.

4. Mayweather has only been officially knocked down once as a pro

In his 2001 WBC super featherweight title defense against Carlos Hernandez, Floyd Mayweather Jr. took an eight-count at the end of round six and technically suffered the only official knockdown of his career. Although Mayweather’s left glove did indeed touch the canvas in that moment, it came after he landed an awkward left hook against a lunging-forward Hernandez.

Keep in mind that this was a phase of Mayweather’s career where chronic hand issues plagued him, and this was certainly the case in the Hernandez bout. Mayweather, who was in complete control of the contest up that point, still went on to win a unanimous decision via scores of 119-109, 117-109 and 116-111.

What’s more remarkable, however, are the moments Mayweather has somehow stayed on his feet, as in the aforementioned second round against Shane Mosley where he was nearly separated from his senses. Despite being known for impenetrable defense, Mayweather can indeed take a punch, and his recuperative instincts are expertly honed.

One non-official knockdown of Floyd Mayweather Jr., though, is worth mentioning. In 2006, the supremely talented but mentally weak Zab Judah gave Mayweather fits during the first four rounds of a fight that devolved into pure chaos. Although Mayweather emphatically solved the Judah puzzle, Zab deserved credit for dropping “Money” with a slick counter right hook from his southpaw stance in round two. Alas, Richard Steele incorrectly ruled it a slip: