The Face of boxing for over a decade now, Floyd Mayweather Jr showed just why he’s the greatest fighter of his generation by coming out of retirement to beat explosive UFC champion and first-time boxer Conor McGregor with a 10th round technical knockout on Saturday night.
The fight was surprisingly well-matched but Mayweather was eventually too much for McGregor and by the 10th round had him backed on the ropes with a series of rights and lefts. MrGregor’s face was bloodied and he was just about to fall off the ring when the referee stepped in to stop the fight with 1:55 to go in the round.
After all the razz-matazz and bad blood leading up to the bout, Mayweather was right on the money yet again by stopping McGregor in the 10th round of a surprisingly well-matched fight at a rocking T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The victory takes Mayweather’s flawless record to 50-0 as he moves one ahead of heavyweight legend Rocky Marciano on the all-time record, and he can now hang his gloves in thrilling fashion after a glittering, if controversial career.
‘Money’ Mayweather had warned that the fight won’t go the distance, and he was true to his word as backed McGregor onto the ropes with a series of rights and lefts in the 10th, forcing referee Robert Byrd to stop the fight McGregor’s face completely bloodied.
There was the question of whether McGregor – who hadn’t boxed since he was a teenager – could even lay a glove on Mayweather. And though the Irishman landed a few touch punches, there was nothing solid the entire fight.
And as the fight entered the late rounds, his stamina gave, allowing the experienced Mayweather to make easy work of him.
[Conor]’s a tough competitor – we gave the fans what they wanted to see,” pound-for-pound king Mayweather said.
“He’s a lot better than I thought he was … he used different angles. But I was the better man … It was our gameplan to take our time and take him out down the stretch.”
The fight, fashioned on the strength of two bombastic personalities with huge fan bases, saw McGregor walk away with almost $100million as he says he may never return to the boxing ring.
“I thought it was close,” 29-year-old McGregor said.
“I get a little floppy when I get tired … [Floyd] was a lot more composed. You’ve got to give it to him … I don’t know if I will box again”
Photos of the actions below
Conor McGregor after losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a super welterweight boxing match Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Conor McGregor watches replays after losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a super welterweight boxing match Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Floyd Mayweather Jr. reacts after defeating Conor McGregor in a super welterweight boxing match Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Floyd Mayweather Jr., left, embraces Conor McGregor after a super welterweight boxing match Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Conor McGregor stands in the ring after losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a super welterweight boxing match Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
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