Floyd Mayweather emerged victorious from the most
lucrative fight in history, beating Manny Pacquiao via a
wide unanimous decision in Las Vegas.
American Mayweather, 38, delivered a defensive masterclass
against his Philippine rival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena,
making the necessary adjustments after only a few rounds
before disappearing out of sight.
Mayweather, who added the WBO welterweight title to the
WBC and WBA titles he already owned, was awarded the fight
118-110, 116-112 and 116-112 by the three judges.
With his victory, Mayweather also cemented his status as the
greatest pound-for-pound boxer of his generation.
The five-weight world champion is now undefeated in 48
professional fights, stretching back 19 years.
Six-weight world champion Pacquiao, who falls to 57 wins, six
losses and two draws, later blamed a shoulder injury for his
defeat.
The big fight in numbers
Revenue: Estimated $400m (£265m) in total.
Boxers: Mayweather and Pacquiao set to split about $230m
(£150m).
Tickets for the bout - billed as 'The Fight of the Century' -
changed hands for as much as $350,000 (£232,000) and
American fans were charged almost $100 (£66) to watch on
television, with millions more watching across the world.
Rival broadcasters Showtime and HBO joined forces for the
first time since Lennox Lewis fought Mike Tyson in 2002 to
show the fight, with Jimmy Lennon Jr and Michael Buffer
sharing ring announcer duties.
A-listers in the 16,507 crowd included actors Clint Eastwood
and Robert De Niro, singers Sting and Prince, and US tycoon
Donald Trump.
Multi Grammy Award winner Jamie Foxx sang the American
national anthem prior to the fighters entering the ring. So prized
was a seat that many celebrities were even sat behind the press
row.
Pacquiao, 36, began his ring walk at 20:45 Vegas time - to the
strains of a song he recorded especially for the occasion - and
was awarded a rapturous reception. Mayweather, on the other
hand, was roundly booed, despite being effectively the house
fighter.
The opening round was extremely cagey, with both men trying
to establish their distance, but Mayweather did land with a
couple of eye-catching right hands on the counter.
Not only did Mayweather look noticeably bigger than Pacquiao,
he also looked quicker in the early rounds.
And when Pacquiao did get close, Mayweather was content to
tie him up, to both Pacquiao and the fans' frustration.
Mayweather rocked Pacquiao with two more rights in the
second, although Pacquiao was able to get inside his rival's
superior reach and unleash a couple of flurries.
The third round was a more even affair, with Pacquiao able to
draw Mayweather into some exchanges and Mayweather doing
plenty of rough stuff on the inside.
Pacquiao really came into the fight in the fourth, staggering
Mayweather with a left hand, which many thought would be a
key weapon in this fight.
Mayweather was forced to cover up on the ropes and many of
Pacquiao's follow-up punches were caught on the arms and
gloves, but a smile from the American signalled he may have
been hurt.
Mayweather's head had cleared by the start of the fifth and he
proceeded to win the round courtesy of his trusty right cross,
with Pacquiao not applying enough pressure or displaying the
aggression many felt he needed.
Pacquiao rocked Mayweather again in the sixth, before
Mayweather got on his bike in the seventh, slipping and sliding
out of reach and frustrating Pacquiao as he looked to engage.
In the eighth it was Mayweather's left that did most of the
damage and although he did ship another sneaky left, by now it
was apparent that Pacquiao, naturally the smaller man, did not
have the necessary power.
It was more of the same in the ninth, during which there were
definite signs that Pacquiao was tiring and the fight was
beginning to get away from him.
By the 10th, Mayweather had made all the adjustments he
needed to make and continually made Pacquiao miss, like a
matador with an ailing bull, while doing enough on the counter
to win the round.
In the 11th, Pacquiao had gone from bull to mouse, getting
snapped on the nose time and time again by Mayweather's jab
as he tried to get inside.
Pacquiao's expected late rally did not transpire and the air of
resignation in the arena at the final bell told you everything you
needed to know - that Mayweather had won an intriguing rather
than thrilling fight with plenty to spare.
Reaction from BBC Radio 5 live team
"They said this was the biggest test of his career. How he
rose to the challenge. Floyd Mayweather endorses his status
as an all-time great" - commentator Mike Costello
"He has broken Manny Pacquiao's heart" - pundit Steve
Bunce
Listen: More reaction to the Las Vegas showdown
And while many observers who paid to watch would have been
disappointed with the action, the fact that Mayweather won so
handily was more proof of his unparalleled genius.
Pacquiao's pride will no doubt be salved when he next checks
his bank account - it is estimated the fight will generate $400m
(£265m) in total, with Mayweather and Pacquiao set to split in
the region of $230m (£150m).
Afterwards Mayweather confirmed he would fight one more
time in September before retiring, although the opportunity to
surpass Rocky Marciano's mark of 49 fights undefeated might
prove too tempting to pass up.
Amir Khan is on the list of possible opponents, as is fellow
Briton and IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook.
