“MIRACLES IN THE RING” Discover the Moments When Floyd Mayweather Was ‘SAVED’ by the Referee. What Fate Did He Narrowly Escape?

Floyd Mayweather Jr., often celebrated as one of the greatest defensive boxers of all time, has an unblemished record that reflects his extraordinary skill in the ring. However, even the best fighters occasionally find themselves in perilous situations. There have been moments in Mayweather’s illustrious career where he was on the brink of disaster, only to be saved by the timely intervention of the referee. These instances sparked debate and controversy, raising questions about what might have happened had the referee not stepped in.
The Controversial Moment Against Zab Judah
One of the most talked-about instances where Mayweather was seemingly “saved” by a referee occurred during his bout with Zab Judah on April 8, 2006. This fight was intense from the beginning, with Judah managing to hit Mayweather with some hard shots early on, even appearing to knock him down in the second round, though it was ruled a slip.

The drama reached its peak in the tenth round when Judah landed a blatant low blow followed by a punch to the back of Mayweather’s head. Mayweather, visibly hurt, crouched in pain. Referee Richard Steele immediately called a halt to the action to allow Mayweather time to recover. This break allowed Mayweather to regain his composure, and he went on to dominate the remainder of the fight, securing a unanimous decision victory.

This incident led to a near-riot in the ring, with Mayweather’s team, including his uncle Roger Mayweather, entering the ring to confront Judah. The referee’s decision to stop the action was crucial, as it gave Mayweather the time he needed to avoid further damage. Had the referee not intervened, the outcome of the fight could have been very different.

The Rocky Fight Against Shane Mosley

Another notable instance where Mayweather was in serious trouble came during his fight against Shane Mosley on May 1, 2010. In the second round, Mosley rocked Mayweather with a powerful right hand that wobbled the undefeated champion. Mayweather’s legs buckled, and he appeared to be on the verge of being knocked down.

Referee Kenny Bayless did not step in during the exchange, but his close observation was critical. Mayweather, using his experience and ring IQ, managed to clinch and avoid further punishment until he recovered. However, some critics argued that the referee might have been too lenient and that Mosley should have been allowed to continue his assault without interruption. Nevertheless, Mayweather regained control and outboxed Mosley for the remainder of the fight, winning by unanimous decision.

The Aftermath and Reactions

These incidents have led to widespread debate among boxing fans and analysts. Supporters of Mayweather argue that these moments demonstrate his incredible resilience and ability to survive under pressure. On the other hand, his detractors claim that he was fortunate to have referees who acted in his favor at crucial times.

Zab Judah, in particular, expressed his frustration after the fight, claiming that the referee’s intervention cost him the victory. “I had Floyd hurt, and I believe I would have finished him if the fight wasn’t stopped,” Judah stated in a post-fight interview. Shane Mosley, while respectful of Mayweather’s skills, also noted that he was close to achieving a knockout, saying, “I knew I had him hurt, but he recovered well.”