Roberto Duran hasn’t been shy in his criticism of Floyd Mayweather, which extends to a claim that the American superstar should not be able to claim undefeated status.
Mayweather retired with a perfect professional record of 50 wins and no defeats. Over the course of a career spanning more than two decades, he won world titles in five weight classes and was widely recognised for his defensive skill, ring intelligence, and ability to adapt to different styles.
Despite those accomplishments, Duran questioned whether all of Mayweather’s victories were deserved in an interview with One on One Boxing.
“He fought a Mexican, the Mexican beat him, but they gave it to him [Mayweather]. Then he fought another, he lost but got the decision. I believe he’s lost three fights but they’ve gifted him those wins.”
While Duran didn’t name specific opponents, one of the most frequently debated decisions in Mayweather’s career came in his first bout with Mexico’s Jose Luis Castillo in 2002. Many observers believed Castillo had done enough to win, although Mayweather won by unanimous decision and later won the rematch more convincingly.
The Panamanian great also criticised Mayweather’s in-ring style.
“For me he is a boxer that’s weak. He doesn’t like being hit to the body, and as soon as he gets hit there, he turns into a road runner, and I have much more experience than him.”
Duran’s comments echo a view held by some in the sport—that Mayweather’s defensive style and occasional close decisions leave room for debate about how dominant he truly was. However, Mayweather’s ability to consistently win at the highest level remains one of modern boxing’s most remarkable achievements.