Despite Being Known for His Brash Personality, Floyd Mayweather Shows His Empathetic Side to Defeated Boxer

Floyd Mayweather Jr. retired undefeated, one of the few boxers to come out unscathed, retaining his titles. The credentials, coupled with the enormous commercial success of his last few bouts, lent an air of invincibility, often convincing him to statements on being the greatest ever boxer. However, for a celebrated athlete with such a cheeky personality, it might surprise many when he voiced his support for a fledgling who lost his latest match to the dismay of many.

On Saturday, March 25, the fight night was on everyone’s watch list. The bitter feud between WBC (Interim) Super Middleweight champion David Benavidez and the former IBF Super Middleweight title holder Caleb Plant reached its penultimate stage at the 22-foot ring. However, the remaining bouts of the main card event proved nonetheless exciting.

In particular, the match between former WBA Super Featherweight titlist Chris Colbert and Mexican-American southpaw Jose Valenzuela received a severe rap over the knuckles for the final decision.

Brooklyn-born Chris Colbert had everything going his way till 2021. Undefeated in all sixteen bouts, he defended the WBA (Interim) Super Featherweight title ably till 2021. But come 2022, despite going as the favorite and labeled “the best prospect on the planet” by trainer Joe Goossen, who incidentally trains Ryan Garcia as well, Colbert lost his seventeenth match to an unheard-of Hector Luis Garcia.

On a similar footing, Jose Valenzuela, coming from the famed Benavidez camp, grabbed headlines as he defeated former world champion, Francisco Vargas. But the September outing against Edwin De Los Santos proved costly as he was knocked down in the third round.

The verdict from Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Both men sought a recovery trail to return them to mainstream contention. Valenzuela went aggressively chasing the Brookyln-born boxer. However, per BoxingScene, the former landed one hundred and seventeen power shots compared to the latter’s seventy-seven. In fact, ‘El Royo’ sent Colbert to the canvas with a left hook. Nevertheless, he remained forceful through the fight, even sending Colbert to the ropes by the eighth round. But the latter displayed a strong chin, resulting in the battle going forward and back.

Until the very end, Valenzuela expected a clear victory, but the final result surprised him and many viewers. All three judges gave 95-94 in favor of Colbert, handing him a unanimous victory. Nevertheless, the decision was met with widespread skepticism, and the audience booed Colbert. ESNEWS‘ Elie Seckbach contacted Valenzuela and asked about the match’s contentious outcome. As the latter explained, Seckbach commented, “But I don’t think it’s a loss?“

‘El Royo’ could have disagreed and remarked, “I don’t think it was a loss. You know I feel good. You know, talked to Floyd, he said I was cheated, and stuff…and everybody showed me love, so I feel amazing.“

The match was a must-win for the twenty-three-year-old boxer after two consecutive losses. Naturally, he called for a rematch, but as he reflects on his future, words from one of boxing’s greatest artists, Mayweather Jr., must have provided the much-needed succor. Probably, the youngster’s ordeal sent ‘Money’ Mayweather down memory lane when he had to settle for the bronze medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. The decision was contested by the U.S. team but to no avail.

Read More: Before Amassing $1,200,000,000 Fortune, Floyd Mayweather Earned a Meager Salary with Top Rank

What is your take on the referee’s decision? Do you agree with him? Do share your views and opinions with us in the comments below.

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