If you're a boxing fan, you know the name Floyd Mayweather. Hell, even if you aren't a boxing fan, you know the name Floyd Mayweather.

However, that wasn't always the case.

There was a time when the name Floyd Mayweather would have meant nothing to the majority of people.

Obviously in 2019, we can all say Mayweather is one of the greatest to ever put on a pair of boxing gloves. One of the greatest ever to lace up a pair of boots. And one of the greatest ever sportsmen in the world.

Which begs the question...where did it all begin for the American?

Well, taking a trip down memory lane, Mayweather's pro debut came way back in 1996. A remarkable 23 years ago now.

A 19-year-old boy, who had just competed at the Olympics, was stepping into the ring as a professional for the very first time. His opponent that night was Mexican Roberto Apodaca.

The fight was scheduled for four rounds, but Apodaca didn't make it out of round two as he was floored early on in the second after a vicious body shot from Mayweather.

The performance itself from the relatively unknown Mayweather at the time was emphatic. He dropped the Mexican in the first round after a lovely body shot, and he ended him in the exact same way in the second.

Mayweather showed during his debut that he was very skilled and a very impressive puncher, landing some remarkable combinations and causing all sorts of problems for Apodaca.

It was very obvious even from the first round that the two were streets apart, and fast forward 23 years and the same can still be said.

Just to put it into perspective, Roberto Apodaca doesn't even have a Wikipedia page, so being Mayweather's first victim is probably as good as it gets for him.

As for Mayweather, well we all know what happened to him. He had 49 more fights and won them all.