Floyd Mayweather’s most formidable opponent wanted to be saved from himself because the self-professed ‘Finest Ever’ labored him over of their 2000 battle.
On October 21, Mayweather confronted Emanuel Augustus at Cobo Corridor in Detroit between WBC tremendous featherweight title defenses towards Gregorio Vargas and Diego Corrales. ‘The Drunken Grasp’ can be ultimate preparation for what was anticipated to be a tough slog towards Corrales three months later.
Augustus, who later took the distinction of being Mayweather’s most formidable foe, gave the longer term 50-0 celebrity all he might deal with within the battle with none notion of claiming victory. Mayweather was too quick and good for Augustus, who deployed as many methods of the commerce as attainable to stay within the battle. In the long run, it took a plea for mercy from coach Nelson Lopez to finish it with a spherical remaining.
Mayweather shortly opened a minimize above Augustus’ eye and constructed on that by breaking down the Chicago native with peppers of pictures all through. Augustus tried to provide nearly as good as he received and, at instances, had success. Nonetheless, Mayweather all the time had the ultimate say within the exchanges.
Into spherical 4, Mayweather was starting to bust Augustus up earlier than going into defensive mode as he took a breather. As soon as he’d recharged, Mayweather unleashed one other damaging barrage though Augustus stored coming ahead.
Halfway via the competition, Augustus’ relentlessness paid dividends as Mayweather confirmed indicators of damage and tear. Regardless of being in complete management of the scorecards, Mayweather wasn’t having all of it his personal manner.
Taking one other breath, Mayweather allowed Augustus to work however was nonetheless getting caught all through his assaults, a lot in order that the ringside physician checked out Augustus to his disgust. Augustus was allowed to proceed however knew taking an excessive amount of extra would finish the battle.
Floyd Mayweather was bringing it to Emanuel Augustus ? pic.twitter.com/kxXdJ15CvP
— Prime Rank Boxing (@trboxing) July 15, 2024
The next spherical was all Mayweather, with the doctor inspecting Augustus once more midway via the session. Within the nook, Lopez instructed Augustus that he needed to present one thing within the ninth, or he’d cease the battle.
It took just a few seconds over a minute of the spherical for Lopez to face on the ring apron and plead for referee Dale Grable to name the battle off. Augustus’s potential to resist large punishment is probably going why Mayweather made these claims relating to his opponent later in his profession.
Talking to FightHype about Augustus, Mayweather stated, “Earlier than the battle, I heard he had received robbed [by bad decisions] a variety of instances. I consider that’s true.
“It was an excellent battle, and he’s a troublesome motherf***er. I needed to dig deep,” Mayweather added. “Emmanuel Augustus was my hardest opponent. His document didn’t present his ability set, however the man was unbelievable.
“He didn’t have one of the best document within the sport of boxing. He has by no means gained a world title. However he got here to battle, and, in fact, at that specific time, I had taken a protracted layoff. He’s a real warrior, a real champion.
Talking about his need to compete regardless of ending his profession dropping 34 of 78 bouts, Augustus opened up in an interview with Boxing Information. He stated, “I simply appreciated to battle. I simply wished to have the ability to get in there and do it. I didn’t should be motivated as I used to be already motivated to do it.
“However I appreciated to battle, and I like preventing. That’s in all probability a nasty factor to say. It’s in all probability even worse to be ok with it, however it’s what it’s. I’m a fighter. I used to be born to battle. And once I die, I’m going to die with boxing gloves on and a mouthpiece in. That’s my state of mind. Each time I flip round, I’m preventing for one thing.”
Emanuel Augustus is undoubtedly one robust man.
Learn all articles and unique interviews by Phil Jay. Be taught extra in regards to the writer, skilled boxing author, and World Boxing Information Editor since 2010. Observe on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
