Mayweather defeats Pacquiao in most lucrative fight

Floyd Mayweather has beaten Manny Pacquiao on a points decision in one of the most lucrative boxing matches of all time. Neither of the fighters succeeded in landing a winning blow during 12 rounds late on Saturday night, and judges awarded Mayweather the fight at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, on a points decision. All three judges scored Mayweather higher than Pacquiao in a unanimous decision. The new unified WBC, WBA and WBO Welterweight champion scored 118-110, 116-112, 116-112. Floyd Mayweather Jr. throws a left at Manny Pacquiao. (Internet photo) American Mayweather took his unbeaten record to 48-0, with Pacquiaos record slumping to 57 wins and six losses after the Filipinos defeat. Saturdays long-awaited bout, which had been more than five years in the making, transcended the traditional boxing scene. Trainer Freddie Roach adjust Manny Pacquiaos mouthguard. (Internet photo) It catapulted the sport back into the public consciousness and promised to rewrite the record books as the richest fight of all time. Las Vegas was buzzing in the run-up to the welterweight world title showdown. The total revenue for the bout could reach $400m, driven by as many as three million pay-per-view purchases. Floyd Mayweather Jr., left, hugs Manny Pacquiao after defeating him in their welterweight unification bout. (Internet photo) The figures - touted as high as a possible $180m payday for the unbeaten American and an estimated $120m bonanza for Philippine national icon Pacquiao - intensified the spotlight on a fight between two of the most successful boxers of their generation. Al Jazeeras Andy Gallagher, reporting from Las Vegas, before the match, said the atmosphere in the city was electric as hundreds of thousands of people had swarmed there just to be close to the fight. Manny Pacquiao acknowledges the crowd before the start of his world welterweight championship bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr. (Internet photo) Its been building up and counting down and now the streets of Las Vegas are completely packed, he said. In the Philippines, Al Jazeeras Jamela Alindogan, reporting from General Santos, said an unofficial holiday had been declared in the country of 100 million, with streets packed with Pacquiaos supporters waiting to watch the match on TV screens. Al Jazeera

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Mayweather defeats Pacquiao in most lucrative fight