LAS VEGAS - The generation’s two best boxers, and bitter rivals for the better part of a decade, hugged in the middle of the ring shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. They had just engaged in 12 rounds and 36 minutes of combat that while competitive, was also definitive.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. secured the title as the most dominant fighter of the era, out-boxing Manny Pacquiao en route to a unanimous decision (118-110, 118-110, 116-112) in one of the longest anticipated bouts in boxing history.

“When the history book is written,” Mayweather said while still in the ring, “It was worth the wait.”

Mayweather, who improved to a perfect 48-0, was already set to go down as perhaps the best defensive fighter ever, and Saturday only improved his case. Pacquiao, who dropped to 65-6-2, was never in danger of getting stopped, but not a single judge ever had him ahead in the fight either.
The Filipino couldn’t track Mayweather down early, resulting in losing each of the first three rounds on every scorecard. He staggered Mayweather with a left in the fourth round, but by then the locally based welterweight champion had a scoring advantage too large to relinquish.

Mayweather out-landed Pacquiao 148 punches to 81, including 67-18 in jabs and 81-63 in power shots, according to CompuBox. Las Vegas Sun scored the bout 115-113 Mayweather, whom won the fight on virtually every media member’s scorecard.

Pacquiao still had a tough time accepting the loss.
“I think I won the fight,” Pacquiao said. “He didn’t do nothing. I got him with solid punches.”

The crowd at the MGM supported Pacquiao, booing Mayweather as he took a victory lap around the ring. Mayweather is now two victories away from surpassing Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 record, but stressed that he would never get to 50 wins.

As he’s sworn for the last several months, Mayweather announced he would retire after fulfilling his current contract with Showtime in September. (Source: Las Vegas Sun)

Story Date: May 4, 2015