The only one who defeated Floyd Mayweather

Credits: Rick Bowmer/AP

Floyd Mayweather is certainly the most famous boxer in the world as well as the most paid athlete; soon he will face an other very famous fighter from Philippines: Manny Pacquaio.

The fight will surely remain in history, not only for the two big names, but also for the large quantity of money spent for the organization of the event.

In these weeks, the American boxer, who, as we remember, has never being defeated in a professional bout, is under the media’s lens and the New York Times dedicated an article about the “only one” who actually did beat him.

Let’s fly back in the 1996, when the the new summer Olympic games were being held in Atlanta USA.

The American fighter, who at that time was only 19, was competing in the -57kg category that was full of great boxers including the one who then would have defeated him. In fact, when Floyd reached the semifinals, he faced a fearsome Bulgarian opponent: Serafim Todorv.

We won’t talk about the fight in details, but we can say that it made history, because of a “alleged robbery” from the Bulgarian, who fought a great match, but got a victory that, let’s say, he didn’t deserve so much.

It’s known that the usual “Mafia stories”, that are present in every sport, helped the Bulagarian to pass the turn and so he was able to compete in the tournament’s final.

Image credits to the owner

Noteworthy, is the fact that in the final, the Bulgarian faced one of the most important Muay Thai icons and legends ever, we talking about Somluck Kamsing.

Eventually, Somluck won the final and the Olimpic gold medal along with the respect of the whole Thai population.

If the day that Floyd faced Serafim, these politc “forces” wouldn’t have influenced the “right” decision, we might have seen Somluck against Floyd Mayweather!

A fight that would have been history of combat sports and which maybe today could be really nice to re-organize and enjoy, also thanks to the close age of the two athletes.

Anyway, today Floyd Mayweather lives a very luxurious life, being the most well paid fighter of the world, who can buy anything, while the one who defeated him, today lives in Bulgary with an income of only 435 dollars per month.

A strange destiny, for these 3 fighters who are now icons in their own countries.
Videos:
Floyd Mayweather vs Serafim Todorov

Somluck Kamsing vs Serafim Todorov

Chok Dee

Source: New York Times

Photo credits: Rick Bowmer/AP – Kathy Willens/Associated Press – Associated Press