Sports
Hall of Fame referee says Floyd Mayweather should have really lost one fight
Referee Kenny Bayless has highlighted one particular Floyd Mayweather fight where, strictly speaking, the American should have suffered his first professional defeat.
The Hall of Famer ended his career with a flawless record of 50-0 (27 KOs), beating the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya before hanging up his gloves in 2017.
During his prolific campaign, the pound-for-pound legend had a few close calls – including his first encounters with Jose Luis Castillo and Marcos Maidana – where many felt he was fortunate to emerge victorious.
But while those points decisions could have easily gone against him, the closest Mayweather came to tasting defeat was arguably against Zab Judah in 2006.
Back then, Judah was making the second defence of his IBF world welterweight title after losing his WBC strap in a huge upset against Carlos Manuel Baldomir.
Mayweather, meanwhile, was entering his second outing at 147lbs after jumping up in weight following his sixth-round stoppage victory over Arturo Gatti.
By the end of their showdown, which resulted in a unanimous decision victory for Mayweather, there was no real uproar over who deserved to have his hand raised.
Instead, the controversy stemmed from an ugly incident that developed in round 10, where Judah landed a blatant low blow – followed by a punch to the back of the head – and caused a chaotic ring invasion to ensue.
In a joint discussion with ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT and Ring Champs with Ak & Barak, referee Bayless explains that the drama, if going by the book, should have resulted in a disqualification loss for Mayweather.
“In the round that Zab Judah hit [Mayweather with] a low blow and then [landed] the rabbit punch, Roger Mayweather, Floyd’s uncle [and trainer], jumped up onto the ring apron.
“Do you know what the rules say in that case? Disqualification. But, in that situation, [referee Richard Steele] had to use judgement.
“If he would have stopped that fight, that place would’ve [erupted]. It would have been a nightmare.”
Judah shared the clip on social media.
20 years later now the truth!! #JudahMayweatherpic.twitter.com/Pc9jN3SLx9
— ZAB JUDAH 6x Champ! (@SUPERJUDAH) January 18, 2026
In his following outing, Mayweather unified the welterweight division by outpointing Baldomir and eventually became a five-weight world champion.
