Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather has faced many elite Mexican pugilists during his stint as a professional boxer. Memories of Mayweather’s epic showdown with boxers like Juan Manuel Marquez and Canelo Alvarez come to mind. Although the 50-0 boxer defeated all his Mexican opponents, there were some champions like Ricardo López, Julio César Chávez, and Eric Morales, whom he didn’t face but had immense respect for.

In a recent interview with YouTuber Alex Montiel, the masked man who runs the YouTube channel PelucheEn ElEstuchethe, Mayweather revealed that he appreciated the work ethic of Mexican fighters, and also admired their “kill or be killed” attitude. “Just the background of the Mexican Fighters, they work so hard you know…the Mexican Fighters, their slogan is killed or be killed. Yeah, so you know I have to take my hat off to all the Mexican Fighters over from right now to back in the day,” Mayweather said.

After Mayweather acknowledged that Mexico has produced some of the best champions the world has ever seen, the interviewer asked, “Who was your toughest Mexican boxer that you fight?” Mayweather responded by stating that he has faced a lot of tough Mexican opponents in his professional career. However, snubbing all the Mexican boxers he faced during his pro days, ‘Money’ picked an opponent he faced in the amateur circuit as his toughest competitor.

“Um, there’s a lot of tough uh Mexican fighters, not just as a professional, but probably as an amateur….. USA versus Mexico,” the Mayweather stated. The interviewer, seeking further clarity, asked, “Um in the Olympics?” To which ‘Money’ replied, “No no, not in Olympics. Actually a dual meet. US versus Mexico in Las Vegas, I fought against Mexico. Yes, he was tough.”

The opponent that Mayweather was gushing about was Martin Castillo. At the USA vs. Mexico event held at MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas on November 19, 1994, Castillo did something that is now unthinkable— defeat Mayweather. However, both fighters couldn’t meet in the ring for a professional bout.

On the other hand,  Floyd Mayweather managed to evade controversy by expertly dodging a very direct question about Canelo Alvarez.

‘Hell of a fighter’, but…

In an interview with Fight Hub TV, Mayweather was asked the question — “Is Canelo the greatest Mexican boxer?” Although, Floyd branded Canelo with his iconic phrase — “a hell of a fighter”, he refused to rank him alongside other Mexican champions.

“There are a lot of great Mexican fighters. That’s not for me to rate fighters. I just take my hat off to so many fighters that paved the way, you know, for me to be where I am. Just, you know, throughout life. Canelo is a hell of a fighter,” Mayweather noted.

Notably, Mayweather dominated Canelo in the fight billed as ‘The One’, winning via majority decision. Ever since that loss, Canelo has shown immense growth and solidified his status as one of the pound-for-pound greats in modern boxing.

Nonetheless, are you surprised by Floyd Mayweather’s pick for his toughest Mexican opponent? Let us know in the comment section below.