Floyd Mayweather's pro debut 30 years on: how the road to 50-0 began in Las Vegas
A 19-year-old Olympic bronze medallist stopped Roberto Apodaca in the second round on 11 October 1996.
Thirty years ago today, on 11 October 1996, a 19-year-old Floyd Mayweather Jr. had his first professional fight, on an outdoor card at the Texas Station Casino in Las Vegas.
Weeks after winning a bronze medal at featherweight at the Atlanta Olympics, Mayweather faced Roberto Apodaca, who was announced in the ring as a 2-1 fighter. Mayweather stopped him in the second round. The card was headlined by a title defence from Johnny Tapia.
Two years later Mayweather won his first world title, stopping Genaro Hernández for the WBC super featherweight belt in 1998. He went on to win 15 major world titles across five weight classes, from super featherweight to light middleweight, including a split-decision win over Oscar De La Hoya in May 2007.
He retired from professional boxing in August 2017 with a 50-0 record and has since boxed in exhibitions.
That unbeaten record is still drawing challengers. Ryan Garcia told Mayweather this month to put it on the line: "Okay Floyd let's see how much you love that '0'." No talks have been confirmed: Garcia's challenge to Mayweather.
Every UK fight result and what's next, every Friday. Get the free UK fight briefing
More Boxing from Combat Sports UK
The UK fight briefing
The stories, results and upcoming fights worth knowing. Every Friday.