Floyd Mayweather Jr guaranteed his place among the boxing legends by improving to 48-0 after an unanimous decision over Manny Pacquiao in a fight that some believe it didn’t live up to its huge hype and price tag.
Mayweather resisted an early charge from the Filipino southpaw before taking control in the later rounds using his superior reach and jab to gain advantage all three scorecards in the welterweight duel which is the top grossing prize fight in history.
“When the history books are written, it was worth the wait,” Mayweather said after he unified four belts by winning a bout which was eagerly awaited by more than five years.
Even if Pacquiao forced Mayweather to the defense, the American managed to dent his opponent’s best efforts by resourcing to his extraordinary defensive skills while throwing some precise jabs and strong punches of his own.
Mayweather and Pacquiao had vowed to deliver after years of hype and offer fans their money’s worth. They were true to their word only in part. The two extraordinary fighters delivered an entertaining contest that sometimes had the capacity crowd roaring on its feet during the 12 round showcase.
“Manny Pacquiao is a hell of fighter, I see now why he is at the pinnacle of boxing. I’m a smart fighter, I outboxed him. He’s a tough competitor and a very awkward fighter and I had to take my time and watch him closely,” the said 38-year-old Mayweather in the ring, just after he embraced Pacquiao.
The bout between the two greatest fighters of their generation was that could have never happened after Pacquiao denied Mayweather’s requests for blood-testing for five years.
When the two sides finally reached a deal, it became the richest in the history of boxing, setting new highs for pay-per-view buys and also gate receipts.
The boxers were also paid extravagantly for their night’s work, with Mayweather pocketing $120 million and Pacquiao $80 million. This figures may rise, as both men could earn much more depending on the number of pay-per-view purchases.
For Mayweather, the match was one that will cement his legacy. The welterweight supremo said that he would fight again but that his next match would be his last.
“My last fight is in September and then it is time for me to hang it up. “I am almost 40 years old now, I have been in the sport 19 years, I have been world champion 18 years. I am truly thankful and I am blessed,” Mayweather explained.
Image Source: Bleacher Report
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