unlikely rise in the welterweight division. Baldomir vs. Mayweather Jr. Baldomir would eventually get his chance against the pound-for-pound king, Floyd Mayweather Jr., on November 4, 2006 in Las Vegas for the WBC, The Ring and lineal welterweight titles. Said Baldomir of this challenge: "Mayweather is very good, but I can beat him. I'm going right at him. I'm going to keep attacking and not give him a chance to breathe or move. Mayweather has never fought anyone like me before." Baldomir would ultimately lose both titles by unanimous decision. Ringside punch statistics showed Mayweather landing 199 of 458 punches, while Baldomir landed just 79 of 670. Baldomir was paid $1.6 million, which was a career high in earnings. During the fight, Baldomir chased Mayweather sluggishly, unable to land any meaningful shots but trying to remain the busier fighter, while Mayweather picked away with sharp jabs and hooks, even managing to cut Baldomir over his left eye in the first round. This pattern continued throughout the fight, thanks in no small part to Baldomir's weighing in at 162 pounds compared to Floyd at 149 lbs, leading some to believe that Baldomir's sole intention was to knock Mayweather out. The defensive-minded Mayweather, however, apparently not looking to knock out or even exchange blows with his opponent, put on what many witnesses called a "boxing clinic" to take Baldomir's WBC and lineal welterweight titles in a lopsided 12-round decision. Others, notably Larry Merchant, the famous HBO Analyst at ringside, said, during the fight.."Mayweather is the only major boxer I'ver ever seen, boring enough that his audience walks out on his during one of his fights",,and the camera then showed a long line of people walking to and out of the exits, including many celebrity figures. Two judges had Mayweather winning all 12 rounds, with the other giving all but two rounds to Mayweather. Baldomir vs. Forrest Baldomir was challenged to fight by former champion, Shane Mosley, but HBO would not air the fight, so the concept was thrown aside. On July 28, on HBO's Boxing after Dark, he fought Vernon Forrest for the vacant WBC Light Middleweight championship, losing a lopsided, yet very exciting and competitive decision. In the post fight interview with Larry Merchant, he indicated that he would likely retire from boxing. Comeback On Friday, 23 November, Baldomir fought against rugged journeyman Luciano Perez at the Morongo Resort and Casino