Roger Mayweather facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roger Mayweather |
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Mayweather in 2010
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| Statistics | |
| Real name | Roger L. Mayweather |
| Nickname(s) | Black Mamba |
| Rated at |
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| Height | 5 ft 7+1/2 in |
| Reach | 73+1/2 in |
| Born | April 24, 1961 Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | March 17, 2020 (aged 58) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 72 |
| Wins | 59 |
| Wins by KO | 35 |
| Losses | 13 |
Roger Mayweather (born April 24, 1961 – died March 17, 2020) was an American boxing trainer and former professional boxer. He competed in boxing from 1981 to 1999. Roger was a world champion in two different weight classes. He held the WBA and The Ring super featherweight titles. He also held the WBC light welterweight title.
Roger Mayweather was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He came from a famous boxing family. His brothers are Floyd Mayweather Sr. and Jeff Mayweather. His nephew is the well-known boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.. Roger was a very important trainer for Floyd Mayweather Jr. from 2000 to 2012. Under Roger's teaching, Floyd Jr. became one of the best boxers ever.
Contents
Roger Mayweather's Boxing Career
Early Fights and First Titles
Roger Mayweather had a great amateur boxing career, winning 64 fights and losing only 4. He started his professional boxing journey on July 29, 1981. In his first fight, he won by technical knockout (TKO) in the first round.
In his thirteenth fight, Roger won his first title. He beat Ruben Muñoz Jr. for the IBF-USBA lightweight title. This showed he was a rising star in boxing.
Becoming a World Champion
After winning 14 fights in a row, Roger got a chance to fight for a world title. On January 19, 1983, he faced Samuel Serrano. Serrano was a very experienced champion. But Roger Mayweather was leading the fight on all judges' scorecards. He then won by TKO in the eighth round. This made him the WBA and The Ring super featherweight champion.
Roger successfully defended his new title twice. However, he then lost his first professional fight. This happened on February 22, 1984, against Rocky Lockridge.
Mayweather later won the IBF-USBA super featherweight title again. He beat Kenny Baysmore by TKO. This led to a big fight against Julio César Chávez in 1985. Roger lost this fight by TKO in the second round.
Moving Up in Weight
Roger Mayweather moved up to the light welterweight division. On November 12, 1987, he fought Rene Arredondo for the WBC light welterweight title. Roger knocked Arredondo down three times in the sixth round. He won the fight by TKO and became a two-division world champion.
He successfully defended this title four times. Then, he faced Julio César Chávez again on May 13, 1989. Many boxing writers called Roger "The Mexican Assassin." This was because he had won many fights against Mexican boxers. Chávez was still undefeated at this time. Roger had to stop fighting after the tenth round because of injuries.
Roger Mayweather continued to fight and win titles. He won the WBA Americas light welterweight title in 1990. In 1994, he won the IBO light welterweight title. He also won the IBO welterweight title in 1994. He defended this welterweight title once.
His last major title was the IBA welterweight title in 1997. Roger Mayweather's final fight was on May 8, 1999. He ended his career with a total of nine major and minor titles. He competed in four different weight classes.
The "Black Mamba" Nickname
Roger Mayweather had a cool nickname: "The Black Mamba." He explained how he got it:
He wanted a unique boxing nickname. One day, he was watching a TV show about reptiles. They showed the black mamba snake. It's one of the most dangerous snakes in the world. Roger liked how the mamba attacked quietly. It would strike once, and its venom would quickly take effect. He felt this reminded him of his own boxing style.
Training Career and Famous Moments
When his nephew, Floyd Mayweather Jr., started his professional career in 1996, Roger began training him. Roger trained Floyd Jr. until 1998. Then, Floyd Sr. took over as trainer.
However, in 2000, Floyd Jr. asked Roger to come back as his trainer. Roger helped Floyd Jr. become one of the greatest boxers of all time.
Roger Mayweather became very well known during a fight on April 8, 2006. This was the fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Zab Judah. Near the end of the tenth round, Judah hit Floyd Jr. with a low blow. He also hit him with a punch to the back of the head. Roger entered the ring to protect his nephew. A small fight broke out in the ring, but security quickly stopped it. Roger was removed from the ring. Floyd Jr. went on to win the fight. Roger was later fined and suspended for his actions.
Later Life and Passing
Roger Mayweather passed away on March 17, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was 58 years old. He had been dealing with health problems for several years.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. spoke about Roger's health in 2015. He believed that boxing might have caused some of his uncle's health issues. Roger had long-term health problems, including diabetes.
Floyd said that Roger had lost a lot of his memory. He was only in his 50s, but sometimes seemed much older.
Images for kids
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Mayweather in 2010
See also
In Spanish: Roger Mayweather para niños
- List of world super-featherweight boxing champions
- List of world light-welterweight boxing champions
- List of boxing families
