Sunday 14 September 2014 20:13, UK
Floyd Mayweather won his rematch with Argentinian slugger Marcos Maidana on a unanimous decision in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
The 37-year-old American's professional record was extended to 47-0, while Maidana's slipped to 35-5 as Mayweather retained his WBA and WBC welterweight titles as well as the WBC junior middleweight belt.
The judges scored the 12-round bout 115-112, 116-111 and 116-111.
Pound-for-pound king Mayweather edged the opening three rounds despite hitting the canvas in the first, as he allowed Maidana the middle of the ring but used his feet to get the fight on his own terms.
The local favourite did not have the entire crowd in his corner at the MGM Grand, with plenty of Argentinian support for the challenger.
And Mayweather showed signs of frustration in round eight, claiming Maidana had bitten him on the glove, forcing referee Kenny Bayless to separate the pair momentarily.
But it would be as close as Maidana came to upsetting the undefeated champion, as Mayweather comfortably negotiated the final rounds.
Mayweather was given one of his sternest tests of his career in their first encounter in May, but weathered an early storm before coming on strong down the stretch to record a majority points decision victory.
Mayweather earned a guaranteed $32 million for the rematch, bringing his total purses to more than $100 million in the last year. Though he wasn't marked up, he was upset over the bite.
"We were tangled in the center of the ring and I didn't realise what it was. Then I saw that he bit me," Mayweather said. "After the eighth round my fingers were numb, I couldn't use my left hand.
"It is another fight, another victory time to move on. The saga continues there are a lot of great fighters out there."
We were tangled in the center of the ring and I didn't realise what it was. Then I saw that he bit me.
Maidana denied he bit Mayweather, saying: "How can he say I bit the glove with my mouthpiece?" Maidana asked. "I'm not a dog.
"I'm very happy to have fought twice against Floyd Mayweather, I think I did a terrific job. Many have fought against him and I don't think they did what I was able to do.
"I thought I did enough to win. If the judges like a fighter who runs like Floyd there is nothing I can do about it.
"He's beatable, you have to attack him. When you attack him he really doesn't know what to do. He is very fast on his feet I will tell you that."
The result immediately renewed speculation about a long-awaited super-fight between Mayweather and Filipino great Manny Pacquiao.
"I got to go back and talk to my team, I'm not ducking or dodging no opponent," Mayweather responded when asked about the possibility of facing Pacquiao. "If a Pacquiao fight presents itself, let's make it happen."
On the undercard, Leo Santa Cruz retained his WBC super-bantamweight crown by stopping an outclassed Manuel Roman with a right hand in the second round.
Santa Cruz could be a future opponent for British world champions Scott Quigg and Carl Frampton, but after the fight was quick to call out WBO champion Guillermo Rigondeaux.
Mickey Bey became the new IBF lightweight champion when he dethroned Miguel Vazquez on points after a torrid clash that drew boos from the crowd throughout.
