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Unbeaten Mayweather in final bow
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His career winding down to its final seconds, Floyd Mayweather Jr took a victory lap around the ring in Las Vegas, his fist raised in triumph.
After 19 years of perfection in the ring, he deserved one final bow.
Mayweather capped a remarkable career with a typical Mayweather fight on Saturday night, using his defensive wizardry to frustrate Andre Berto on his way to a decision so lopsided one judge gave him every round.
The US$32 million he earned was pocket change compared to what he got for Manny Pacquiao in his last fight. But the more important number was win No. 49 in the final fight of his unblemished career, tying the mark of the late heavyweight champion, Rocky Marciano.
鈥淵ou gotta know when to go. I鈥檝e had a great career,鈥 Mayweather said. 鈥淚鈥檓 leaving with all my faculties. I feel like I鈥檓 smart and sharp.鈥
Mayweather wasn鈥檛 about to change what he does best in his last fight.
Both dominant and defensive, he used all the tricks learned in a pro career that began in 1996 to take a unanimous decision over Berto and retain his welterweight titles in what he insists was his final fight.
Mayweather won yet again in a fight where he was chased but never really tested. He piled up points with a sharp jab and quick counter punches, leaving Berto swinging at air most of the night.
鈥淲hat can I say, I was the better man tonight,鈥 Mayweather said
By the late rounds, Mayweather was both talking to Berto (30-4) and taunting him, secure in the knowledge he was winning big against the 18-1 underdog. In the final seconds of the fight he took a victory lap, as the crowd of 13,395 stood and cheered at the MGM Grand arena.
The ringside scorecards reflected Mayweather鈥檚 dominance, with one judge scoring 120-108. The other scores were 118-110 and 117-111.
Mayweather added to his pay-per-view riches once again, and once again he didn鈥檛 seem to have to work too hard to make it. Berto, who had lost three of his last six fights, tried to make it a fight but his punches were wide and mostly missed their marks.
鈥淚 pushed him to the limit,鈥 Berto said. 鈥淏ut he was just better.鈥
Mayweather did what he鈥檚 done best in his long career, fighting defensively and picking his shots against Berto. He was especially effective when Berto rushed at him, using his counter punching skills to keep Berto away.
It was a winning combination once again, just as it had been in his 48 previous fights.
Mayweather had vowed to give fans an action fight in his last bout, after being criticized for fighting defensively in his win over Pacquiao. He did trade punches with Berto on several occasions, but never stayed in the pocket long enough for Berto to find his mark.
If Mayweather retires it will end a career that saw him become a pay-per-view star and earn more money than any boxer before him. Though most in boxing believe he will some day fight again, the 38-year-old said he had plenty of money and his health is more important than chasing records.
鈥淚鈥檝e accomplished everything,鈥 the American said. 鈥淚鈥檝e done everything in my sport.鈥
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