On February 17, 1999, the WBC World Super-featherweight Title fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Carlos Rios took place at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mayweather, a rising star in the boxing world, sought to defend his title against the Argentine challenger Rios, who aimed to cause an upset in the champion's hometown.
Mayweather entered the fight with an undefeated record of 19-0, with 15 knockouts, while Rios held a record of 44-2-1, with 30 knockouts. The fight represented an opportunity for Mayweather to showcase his skills and further solidify his position as one of the top talents in the super-featherweight division.
The fight went the full 12-round distance, with both fighters displaying their skills and determination. Mayweather's superior speed, footwork, and defensive abilities allowed him to control the pace of the match and avoid Rios's power punches. Rios, however, proved to be a tough and durable opponent, taking Mayweather's punches and continuing to press forward.
Throughout the fight, Mayweather showcased his technical prowess, landing crisp combinations and exploiting openings in Rios's defence. Rios, on the other hand, struggled to land clean shots on the elusive Mayweather, who was able to slip and counter many of Rios's attempts.
In the end, Mayweather's dominance was reflected in the unanimous decision by the judges. Judge Luis Guzman from Argentina scored the fight 120-110, Geiasio Perez of Mexico scored it 119-108, and Bob Watson from the United States had it 120-109. All three judges favoured the defending champion Mayweather, who retained his WBC World Super-featherweight Title.
