FINISHED! The day Mayweather was nearly knocked out in 10 seconds by Maidana
On May 3, 2014, the boxing world held its breath when Floyd Mayweather Jr. faced one of the most dangerous moments of his illustrious career, nearly being knocked out in the opening seconds by Marcos Maidana. The fight, held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for the WBA and WBC welterweight titles, remains etched in memory as a rare instance in which the undefeated “money” teetered on the brink of defeat, reported at 2:45 PM +07 on Monday, June 23, 2025.
The drama unfolded in the first round when Maidana, known for his relentless pressure and powerful punches, unleashed a vicious attack. Just 10 seconds into the fight, the Argentine landed a thunderous right hand followed by a left hook, sending Mayweather reeling against the ropes. The crowd erupted as Maidana pounced, unloading a barrage that made the champion visibly shaken. Commentator Al Bernstein’s voice rose in disbelief, shouting, “Maidana’s hurt him early!”
Mayweather, with his trademark defensive prowess, managed to survive the onslaught by clinching and using the ring to regain his composure. His corner later revealed he suffered a minor cut and swelling, but the 37-year-old legend adapted, winning by majority decision by scores of 114-114, 116-112, and 115-113. Maidana’s early dominance, however, showed a vulnerability rarely seen in Mayweather’s 50-0 career.
Reflecting after the fight, Maidana said: “I knew I had him. If I had kept going, it could have been different.” Fans on X continue to revisit the moment, with posts such as “Those 10 seconds were wild – Maidana almost ended the myth!” and “Mayweather’s luck saved him there.” Argentina’s 35-5 record at the time underlined his threat, making this almost a defining chapter.
Years later, this fight stands as a testament to Mayweather’s resilience. Could Maidana have altered history with one final punch? The boxing world still debates, but that day remains a thrilling reminder of the fine line between victory and defeat for the self-proclaimed “TBE” (greatest of all time).
