GRAND RAPIDS, MI – November 1, 2003 – Floyd Mayweather Jr. delivered a clinical, crowd-pleasing performance in front of his hometown fans at the Van Andel Arena, stopping South African knockout artist Phillip N’dou in the seventh round to retain his WBC and The Ring lightweight titles. In what is expected to be his final bout at 135 pounds, Mayweather reminded the boxing world why he is regarded as one of the sport’s elite technicians.

Facing the WBC’s top-ranked contender, N’dou (31–2, 30 KOs) came into the fight backed by the hopes of an entire nation. With words of encouragement from iconic figures like Nelson Mandela and President Thabo Mbeki, the heavy-hitting challenger sought to bring the title back to South Africa. But in the squared circle, hopes and heart proved no match for precision and pedigree.

Mayweather (31–0, 21 KOs), sharp from the opening bell, neutralized N’dou’s aggression with masterful timing and slick footwork. While N’dou pushed forward, throwing in volume, he found himself walking into a storm of counters. Mayweather, often criticized for being too defensive, flipped the script—landing clean combinations, especially the straight right and left hook, at will.

By round five, Mayweather began to take full control. A rapid-fire sequence of punches had N’dou staggered, and though he bravely stood his ground, the tide had firmly turned. Round seven saw Mayweather unleash a series of pinpoint power shots that finally dropped N’dou. Though the South African rose to his feet, referee Frank Garza had seen enough and waved it off at 1:50.

For Mayweather, the victory was not just about the belts—it was a statement. Fighting in Grand Rapids for only the third time as a champion, he showcased the full range of his skillset: dazzling defence, sharp counters, and a willingness to trade when it mattered.

As Mayweather eyes a move to junior welterweight, this final lightweight chapter closed with a roar, not a whisper. The win not only solidified his place atop the 135-pound division but also fuelled the growing conversation around his pound-for-pound ranking.