No, Floyd Mayweather’s record is not 53-0-1

Floyd Mayweather’s 53-0-1 record is a myth and could deprive the boxing legend of his accolades with his 50th professional victory.

World Boxing News came across Mayweather’s list from TV network Triller and discovered that the ‘Money’ man has exhibitions counted. Three additional wins and a draw appear, which says a lot about where boxing is headed.

Recent exhibitions like the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson offering, which is considered professional despite most people knowing it’s an eight-round, two-minute exhibition, could tarnish Mayweather’s resume. His 2017 bout with Conor McGregor has been tainted by the Paul vs. Tyson likes and would undoubtedly encourage some to ignore it, WBN included.

That would put Mayweather at 49-0 and back in a tie with Rocky Marciano for the most significant number of wins without a defeat in retirement. The Las Vegas native wouldn’t be happy with that scenario. Still, when unfathomable situations arise, like the one that has the boxing legend at 53-0-1, something has to be done to stop the madness.

Knocking out two kickboxing stars who’ve never boxed before, taking one YouTuber to a draw, and stopping another aren’t exactly record-breaking feats for a boxer—let alone Floyd Mayweather. Yet this is the path boxing is being forced to take, with legends choosing to fight after professional retirement, old guard returning in their 50s, and influencers pretending to be real boxers.

Social media, the bane of many societal ills, can be blamed for the current plight of the sport. The fact that people (in many cases talentless) can pick up their phones and create content that children and other easily controlled consumers will devour on a daily basis is not the platform for a boxing career. Television networks can also take some of the blame by entertaining these fights and positioning them in the same vein as regular professional events.

As usual in boxing, it’s all about the almighty dollar, and so Mayweather entertains the idea of ​​sharing the ring with operators far beneath his skill set. He even calls those fights “muggings” and “robbing,” but tickets still seem to be selling, although not as well lately.

Mayweather’s latest offering, set for Mexico, is a rematch of a bout that ended in a riot when he last fought John Gotti III. That tells you everything you need to know about how Mayweather is selling events in his late 40s.

But why is the first fight not on the new record (DQ win) and his win at a Geordie Shore match in a half empty arena in London not mentioned? No one knows why.

Mayweather should really be 55-0-1. When you add all those other types of fights to a record, you might as well take the whole package.

Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the authorexperienced boxing journalist and editor of World Boxing News since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.