‘It Was a Calculated Gamble’: Floyd Mayweather’s Uncle Remained Brutally Honest While Opening About Devastating Loss to Oscar De La Hoya

The Mayweather family is one of only a few to have produced multiple professional boxers. Moreover, along with the Fury family, the Mayweather clan has produced some great boxers like Jeff Mayweather and the most talented and successful of them all, Floyd Mayweather Jr.

However, despite the family producing great athletes, boxing wasn’t always the choice of sport for some of them. This included Jeff whose first intentions were to graduate with a proper college education. Despite this, he continued boxing until he met his match with boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya. Moreover, in the book Money: The Life and Fast Times of Floyd Mayweather, author Tris Dixon details how Jeff hit a wall in his career.

The time Floyd Mayweather’s uncle lost to Oscar De La Hoya

In the first chapter, it was revealed that Jeff was unbeaten in sixteen fights in his professional career. However, he would soon find out that his talents could only take him so far after he was matched up against De La Hoya.

“He went sixteen fights unbeaten as a super-featherweight and lightweight in the pros, without climbing too far up the ladder, and he soon found a ceiling, losing to top contenders, champions and prospects. He was served up to Oscar De La Hoya, in the Golden Boy’s fifth professional bout, and stopped in four rounds. It was a calculated gamble on Team De La Hoya’s part,” he wrote.

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After losing to ‘Golden Boy’, Jeff would have to come to terms with his potential. He would lose in his next two fights and went on to finish his career. Moreover, he even gave a brutally honest admission as to why he was matched up with De La Hoya.

Jeff Mayweather reveals the reason he faced De La Hoya

In the next paragraph, Jeff stated that he was similar to his nephew in terms of fighting style. He added that while he had defensive capabilities his offense wasn’t enough to hurt De La Hoya. This added to the reputation he garnered made it a safe bet for the promotion to make this matchup.

“‘I was very much like Floyd Jr. I didn’t get hit very much but they knew I couldn’t punch so I wasn’t a threat to hurt or knock him out. That’s why I got the fight – and because I had a name,” said Jeff.

Although Jeff couldn’t beat ‘Golden Boy’ his nephew Mayweather Jr. would take revenge for his loss. The two were pitted in one of boxing’s biggest fights with ‘Money’ getting the victory via split decision.

What did you think about Jeff Mayweather opening up about his loss to De La Hoya? Let us know in the comments.

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