when the fight was announced, mayweather was 38 years old and still undefeated, with a perfect professional record of 47 wins and no losses. on june 6, 2008, six months after defeating ricky hatton by a tenth-round technical knockout, mayweather announced his retirement from boxing. at the time, plans were in motion for a rematch with oscar de la hoya, which was going to take place september 20, 2008. "this decision was not an easy one for me to make as boxing is all i have done since i was a child," mayweather said. "however, these past few years have been extremely difficult for me to find the desire and joy to continue in the sport." at the time, 31-year-old mayweather registered 39 wins and no losses in his historic career. at the time of his retirement, "the ring" had mayweather ranked as the no. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, with manny pacquiao at no. 2.