LAS VEGAS – Floyd Mayweather Jr. definitively answered the question that has consumed boxing for more than five years.
Yes, Mayweather is indeed the greatest fighter of this generation, proving so Saturday night before 16,507 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena by masterfully out-boxing Manny Pacquiao en route to a unanimous decision victory in the so-called "Fight of the Century."
Judge Dave Moretti scored the welterweight unification matchup 118-110, while Burt Clements and Glenn Feldman each had it 116-112.
"Pacquiao is a great champion and a helluva fighter. Now I see why he's been so successful in the sport," said Mayweather, 38. "He had his moments in the fight, but as long as I moved on the outside he wasn't going to be able to catch me. He's a really smart fighter, though.
"It was only when I stayed in the pocket that he could have those moments. He's a really tough competitor. My dad wanted me to do more, but Manny's really awkward and I had to watch him closely."
Pacquiao revealed at the post-fight press conference that he suffered a right shoulder injury in training approximately two-and-a-half weeks ago, one that hindered the ability to throw his patented hook. Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach says they considered pulling Pacquiao out of the bout, and Top Rank CEO Bob Arum said surgery is a possibility.
Regardless of the injury, Pacquiao had his moments and the best one came in Round 4. The 36-year-old blasted Mayweather with a clean left hook, a blow that staggered the Las Vegas-resident to the ropes and forced him into a shell. Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) covered up and withstood a furious barrage from Pacquiao, catching most of the follow-up punches with his gloves. However, Pacquiao connected with several thudding body shots, sending the pro-Manny crowd into a boisterous roar.
"I caught him many times. I was never hurt," Pacquiao (57-6-2, 28 KOs) said. "I was very surprised at the scores. I hit him many mores times than he hit me. I had no problem handling his power. I thought I won."
According to CompuBox, it was Mayweather who landed more blows. In fact, he almost doubled Pacquiao, landing 148 to just 81.
Mayweather – as he always does – displayed impressive recovery skills, bouncing back in Round 5 with laser-point counter right hands that stunned Pacman.
The 147-pound champion was able to control the fight with his jab, a punch that frustrated Pacquiao and threw off his rhythm. Pacquiao was steadfast in his pursuit of Mayweather around the ring and was able to connect with shots here and there, but he usually absorbed two shots to land one.
"I thought we pressed the action," said Pacquiao's Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach. "I asked Manny for more combinations in between rounds. He may have fought flat-footed a little too many times, but I thought we won the fight."
Pacquiao was the aggressor for the majority of the bout, but Mayweather was able to navigate the Filipino's hard-charging shots and deliver his own, more effective counter blows.
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