By Rick Reeno
Floyd Mayweather Jr. (42-0, 26KOs), more than a decade later, still considers Emanuel Augustus to be the toughest opponent of his 16 year career.
Mayweather, coming off his longest career layoff, at that time, stepped in the ring with Augustus [then 22-16] at the Cobo Hall in Detroit on October 21, 2000.
Augustus was a much better fighter than his record presented, and he upset plenty of opponents who took him lightly based on his win-loss credentials.
Mayweather admits that Augustus made him work very hard to secure a ninth round stoppage.
"Emanuel Augustus was my toughest fight. He was tough. At that particular time, that was my longest layoff. I was a fighter who was active and fighting every three or four months. I took nine months off and fought a guy who was active and he made me bite down. It was a great night," Mayweather said.
On May 5th, Mayweather challenges Miguel Cotto (37-2, 30KOs) for the WBA's junior middleweight title at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. HBO pay-per-view will carry the event.