Floyd Mayweather subverted expectations on this day in 2003.

Recent reports suggest that Mayweather could be returning to face Manny Pacquiao in what would be his first professional bout in nine years.

The 48-year-old may have suffered from hand injuries throughout his career but his trademark style helped him to extend his career.

While Mayweather has been accused of ‘never challenging himself’, his remarkable defense is what allowed him to achieve a perfect 50-0 record.

However, before he transitioned into the ‘Money’ era of his career, ‘Pretty Boy’ reminded fans what he was capable of when he turned up the heat.

Floyd Mayweather smashed knockout artist Phillip N’dou in 2003

While his defensive ability has undoubtedly earned him the most money, Floyd Mayweather still has some ruthless performances under his belt.

Mayweather may have produced a 139-second win later in his career, but the fight that is often referred to as his most aggressive performance came on this day in 2003.

Phillip N’dou brought a 94 percent knockout ratio into his title shot against the defending WBC and The Ring lightweight champion.

The South African challenger, who was the same age as his opponent at 26, even received advice on how to dethrone Mayweather from his nation’s president, Nelson Mandela.

Mayweather responded by stating that Mandela “couldn’t get in there and fight for him”, before he put N’dou on the backfoot and put him away in the seventh round.

The lightweight champion became much more defensively-minded after moving up in weight, but this version of ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd still had analysts Larry Merchant and Jim Lampley surprised with how action-packed Mayweather made the bout.

Having received criticism for some of his previous performances, the undefeated star delivered on his promise to his home fans in Grand Rapids, Michigan when putting on a show.

Floyd Mayweather’s most famous KO win was his most controversial victory

While it wasn’t the last knockout that he produced, Floyd Mayweather’s finishing blow against Victor Ortiz remains the most famous punch of his career.

Their 2011 bout for the WBC welterweight title ended in the fourth round after Mayweather put Ortiz down with multiple shots while he was looking away.

The finish came immediately after a break in the action, leading to accusations that it was an unsportsmanlike move from ‘Money’.

When Mayweather was pressed on this by Larry Merchant in his post-fight interview, the victor said he should be fired for accusing him of this.