Leave it to Floyd “Money” Mayweather to toss a grenade into boxing history and walk off with a smirk. The undefeated boxing legend has stirred the pot yet again—this time by claiming that one heavyweight, yes one, was flat-out robbed of victories against the iconic Muhammad Ali. And Floyd didn’t whisper it in a quiet podcast corner either—he told fans to “go back and watch,” like a stern teacher assigning homework. Now the boxing world is buzzing like a Vegas casino on fight night.
So, who’s the mystery heavyweight Mayweather believes should have his hand raised in hindsight? It’s none other than Ken Norton, the man who fought Ali three times in the 1970s and broke The Greatest’s jaw in their first encounter. Mayweather didn’t mince words. According to him, Norton beat Ali twice, maybe even three times, and history just turned a blind eye.
Let’s rewind. Norton won their first bout in 1973 by split decision—a fight where Ali’s jaw was famously injured. Their second match later that year was razor-close, but Ali eked out a controversial split decision. Then came the third in 1976, with Ali again getting the nod—this time by unanimous decision that many ringside observers disputed. Mayweather’s argument? If you judge it by modern scoring and strip away Ali’s aura, Norton should’ve walked away with at least two wins.
Of course, Mayweather has never been shy about challenging popular opinion. He’s the king of technical boxing, and he values clean punches, ring generalship, and defense over drama and legend. So it makes sense that he’d see Norton’s performances differently than fans who still get goosebumps watching Ali do the Ali Shuffle.
Boxing Twitter, naturally, exploded. Ali loyalists are calling Mayweather blasphemous. Others are applauding him for saying what a few old-school purists have whispered for years: that Norton got jobbed.
Is Floyd right? That’s up for debate—but one thing’s for sure: Mayweather just reignited one of the greatest what-ifs in boxing history. And whether you’re a die-hard Ali fan or a stats-obsessed fight nerd, you’re probably now itching to pull up those grainy fight tapes and judge for yourself.
Love him or hate him, Floyd Mayweather knows how to keep boxing in the spotlight—and keep himself right at the center of it.