Mayweather was still wobbly when he left the ring eight minutes after the bout’s conclusion.Īt the tail end of his career, Mayweather had five fights against carefully selected opponents at the Silver Nugget, a seedy joint in North Las Vegas where this reporter served as the boxing publicist and ring announcer. Pineda put him to sleep with a frightening left hook. The fight was even after eight rounds, but in the ninth Roger’s chin betrayed him again. The bout aired on HBO along with a 10-round contest between George Foreman and Idaho bruiser Jimmy Ellis. Mayweather fashioned a seven-fight winning streak after his second meeting with Chavez, earning a shot at the vacant IBF 140-pound title where he opposed Rafael Pineda in Reno. Overcome by stomach cramps that woodened his legs, Mayweather gave in after 10 rounds. He made four successful defenses before risking the belt in a rematch with the great Chavez before a large and boisterous crowd at the LA Forum. 12, 1987, he captured the WBC 140-pound title with an eighth-round stoppage of Rene Arredondo in Los Angeles. Six fights later, on Sunday, June 7, 1985, Mayweather was knocked out in the second round by defending WBO 130-pound champion Julio Cesar Chavez at the Riviera in Las Vegas in a fight televised by CBS. The Sunday afternoon fight was nationally televised on NBC. After two successful defenses, he was knocked out cold in the opening round by Rocky Lockridge, a 4/1 underdog, in Beaumont, Texas. In his 15 th pro fight, he sheared the WBA 130-pound world title from Puerto Rico’s Samuel Serrano with an eighth-round stoppage in San Juan. Nicknamed the Black Mamba, he turned pro at age 20 under the management of high-stakes gambler Billy Baxter and had his first 12 fights in Las Vegas. The second of three fighting brothers (older brother Floyd fought Sugar Ray Leonard younger brother Jeff fought Oscar De La Hoya), Mayweather was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The record books say that Mayweather was 58 although a close associate says he was actually one year older.

Roger Mayweather held world titles at featherweight and welterweight in the 1980s.Īs a trainer, he guided his nephew to wins over Ricky Hatton and Oscar de la Hoya.Roger Mayweather, who held world titles at 130 and 140 pounds, died today (Tuesday, March 17) at his home in Las Vegas. It is a terrible loss for all of us.'Ī statement from Mayweather Promotions added: 'Roger's spirit lives on with us forever.' Roger meant the world to me, my father Floyd Sr, my uncle Jeff, our whole family, everyone in and around the Mayweather Boxing Gym and the entire boxing world. 'Unfortunately, his health was failing him for several years and now he can finally rest in peace. 'My uncle was one of the most important people in my life inside and outside of the ring,' added Mayweather, who was already grieving after the mother of his three children died on 11 March. 'Roger was a great champion and one of the best trainers in boxing,' said Floyd Mayweather, 43.

Roger Mayweather died on Tuesday, aged 58, following years of ill health.Īfter being a world champion himself, he helped train his nephew to become one of the greatest boxers in history over an unbeaten 50-fight career.

Floyd Mayweather says he is mourning the loss of 'one of the most important people in my life' after the death of his uncle and former trainer Roger.

Roger mayweather