30 little-known facts about Floyd Mayweather Jr.

3. Rumor has it that Errol Spence Jr. gave Mayweather a black eye in sparring

This doesn’t exactly qualify as a “fact,” but it’s too tantalizing to gloss over. The thing about gym stories in boxing circles is that there are always contradictory narratives at work. Fighter A, who allegedly got iced by Fighter B, actually toyed with Fighter B — obviously. Despite his self-appointed aura of perfection, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has fallen victim to the kind of sparring session lore that dents a reputation.

Newly-minted IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr., who has emerged as the top bluechip American talent in boxing, allegedly gave Mayweather a black eye in sparring when Spence was an emerging prospect/contender. Mayweather was training for his bout against Robert Guerrero, and Spence, fresh off a fight of his own, told Mark Kriegel in the above-posted video that he absolutely treated Mayweather as an opponent, not training partner.

Spence is known for his hellacious power, so the rumor certainly has legs to it. This isn’t to suggest that Spence dominated Mayweather, but given their age difference, it’s conceivable to wonder whether Spence ultimately bested “Money” in sparring. Spence was also cagey in his conversation with Kriegel, refusing to deny that he blackened Mayweather’s eye. Ultimately, Spence settled on a diplomatic yet wry, “I didn’t see it [the eye].”

Mayweather is obviously known for his punishing training camps, and that fact that he enthusiastically sparred Spence at an advanced age shows his commitment to exceptional preparation. However, money aside, there’s a reason you’ll never see Mayweather, at this late stage of his career, opt for a true legacy-enhancing fight against someone like Errol Spence Jr.