SaddoBoxing 2007 Fighter Of The Year: Floyd Mayweather Jr

Click for larger image © Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing

I guess this was no real surprise. Mayweather seems to have these departments locked up as of late, my assumption that being the pound for pound number one ranked fighter wasn’t already enough for him? Floyd not only took part in the two highest profile bouts of 2007, which is a feat in itself considering what a year it has been, but was victorious by performing almost flawlessly.

On May 5 of this year, Mayweather jumped up to his highest weight thus far when he met the “Golden Boy” and “PPV King” himself, Oscar De La Hoya. At stake was not only Oscar’s 154 lb WBC title, but bragging rights on who boxing’s most celebrated warrior really is.

After a highly publicized and often childish build up of the fight, two of this era’s most revered pugilist stepped into the ring for a see saw battle that often had Mayweather on the receiving end, something we rarely witness. At the final bell, the judges had it scored 116-112, 115-113, 113-115, giving Floyd his 38th victory and world title in his fifth weight class.

Just one month after being victorious in his bout with De La Hoya, a new challenge arose in the form of a fellow undefeated champion Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, England’s 140lb punching machine. Hatton, who had just knocked out former Mayweather opponent Jose Luis Castillo in the fourth round, stated in his post fight interview, “I think fans just witnessed more action in this fight than Mayweather’s entire career”, then proceeded in challenging Floyd to a showdown.

The challenge was soon answered, negotiations kept short and December 8 was cleared on the calendar.

When the fight began, Hatton pressured Floyd perfectly, putting him not only on the defensive but giving him little chance to counter. Referee Joe Cortez, who seemed determined not to let Hatton fight his fight, deducted a point early in the bout for a missed punch that took place during the momentum of a flurry where Floydʼs head went in between the ropes while avoiding the onslaught.

As the action continued to be exciting through the first seven rounds, Hatton continued coming forward and Mayweather countering when the opportunity presented itself, there was no real one sided dominance. After round seven, the bout began to turn around as Ricky abandoned his fight plan all together and started getting overzealous. Hatton began swinging wildly, leaving himself open for counters by the deadly accurate Mayweather.

In round ten, Hatton paid for his mistakes dearly and was caught by a picture perfect left hook that sent him to the canvas. Hatton beat the count but was pummeled the moment action resumed, forcing Joe Cortez to halt the bout after another combination sent Hatton back to the mat, unable to defend himself.

Mayweather picked up his second victory of the year, a victory not only over the number one ranked 140 lb fighter, but one who shared a spot in the top 10 pound for pound rankings, making the victory even more impressive.

“Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather finished the year with his perfect record still intact and now stands firmly at 39-0 (25). Floyd has stated that he will take 2008 off and possibly return in 2009 for one more high profile bout before calling it quits. Many a great fighter in the past have claimed similar plans, so it remains to be seen if Mayweather can resist the temptation to enter the ring this upcoming year.

Irregardless, his accomplishments over these past 12 months have garnered him SaddoBoxings’ “Fighter of The Year” honors.

Congratulations champ and thanks for helping give us one of the best years this sport has seen in quite some time!