Floyd Mayweather, a legendary boxer, has fought some of Mexico’s best fighters over his legendary career. Many remember his legendary bouts with Canelo Alvarez and Juan Manuel Marquez. Not only did Mayweather face many formidable Mexican opponents throughout his perfect 50-0 record, but he also had respect for a handful of champions—including Julio César Chávez, Eric Morales, and Ricardo López—whom he never faced.

Mexican boxers are highly regarded by Mayweather, who expressed this sentiment in a recent interview with PelucheEnElEstuche channel owner Alex Montiel. He complimented their dedicated work ethic and “kill or be killed” attitude. Their motto is “kill or be killed,” and the Mexican fighters put in a lot of time and effort only for the background. “I just want to give a shout-out to all the Mexican fighters, both current and past,” Mayweather stated.

“Who was your toughest Mexican boxer that you fought?” the interviewer questioned after mentioning that Mexico had produced some of the best champions in boxing history. In looking back on his career, Mayweather noted that he had to overcome numerous formidable Mexican opponents. Surprisingly, “Money” chose an opponent from his amateur days as his greatest challenge, rather than any of the professional opponents he has fought.

Both in the professional and amateur ring, Mexico is home to a number of formidable boxers. USA vs. Mexico,” Mayweather clarified. To clarify, Mayweather did not mean an Olympic bout when asked whether he was mentioning one. Actually, two separate meets. In Las Vegas, I battled for the United States against Mexico. He was difficult, I agree.

Martin Castillo was the opponent to whom Mayweather was alluding. Castillo accomplished the then-impossible—beating Mayweather—during the November 19, 1994, USA vs. Mexico event at Las Vegas’s MGM Grand Arena. Neither of them ever got another professional match opportunity, unfortunately.

In a separate development, Floyd Mayweather deftly avoided discussing Canelo Alvarez in his interview with Fight Hub TV. In response to the question, “Is Canelo the greatest Mexican boxer?” Canelo was lauded by Mayweather as “a hell of a fighter,” but the Mexican boxing star was not named among Mexico’s all-time greats.

“Mexico has produced several outstanding combatants. It is not my place to judge combatants. In his comment, Mayweather paid tribute to the great boxers who had come before him and helped make his path to the top possible. A hell of a fighter, Canelo is, he added.

Known as “The One,” Mayweather’s victory over Canelo was a unanimous decision. Mayweather was infamously dominant throughout the bout. Canelo has matured immensely since that defeat, and he is now widely considered to be the best pound-for-pound boxer of all time.

Do you agree that Floyd Mayweather picked the most formidable Mexican opponent for his upcoming fight? Leave a comment with your ideas.