Floyd Mayweather (49-0) dominates Berto in retirement fight

LAS VEGAS — It probably is time for Floyd Mayweather to retire. His fights are becoming like movie sequels that can’t live up to the original.

In what he says was the final fight of his career, Mayweather once again used his speed and legs to out-point Andre Berto and win a one-sided decision before 13,395 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday night.

When the final bell rang, Mayweather dropped to his knees in the middle of the ring and raised his right glove in the air as if saying his own personal good-bye to the sport he has dominated for the past 19 years. The judges sent him off as a clear winner 117-111, 118-110 and 120-108.

It leaves Mayweather 49-0 with 26 KOs, equaling the mark of heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano, who also retired as an unbeaten champion. 

“For 19 years, I wouldn’t be able to do it without these fans,” Mayweather said. “Andre Berto has heart and a tremendous chin. It was a good fight.”

It was an OK fight. Berto tried to pressure Mayweather, 38, and managed to land a few punches. But Mayweather controlled the bout and was never hurt. 

“Berto was a tough competitor,” Mayweather said. “He’s a very athletic boxer. I was the better man.”

As of now, he insists he won’t come back for a 50th fight. He completed his six-fight deal with Showtime that earned him more than $300 million. 

“You got to know when to hang it up,” Mayweather said. “I think it’s my time to hang it up. I’m close to 40 years old. I broke all records. There’s nothing else to prove in the sport of boxing. Now I just want to spend time with my family and children and take Mayweather Promotions to the next level.”

Berto was as much as a 30-to-1 underdog most of the week, but the odds dropped to 18-to-1 with a rush of late money from those hoping for an upset.

Berto looked stiff and tentative in the opening round while Mayweather used mostly his jab to find his distance. Berto tried to close the gap in the second round but wasn’t letting his punches go, while Mayweather seemed happy with his early work, dancing back to his corner.

Mayweather’s gloves touched the canvas in the third round, but only because he was ducking so low to avoid a punch. By the fourth, Berto decided to take a few more risks, trying to pin Mayweather along the ropes. He had moments of success, but did little damage as Mayweather would clinch then escape from trouble.

Berto (30-4, 23 KOs) tried to make it a physical fight and was warned for a low blow in the fifth by referee Kenny Bayless. 

Mayweather seemed OK with the roughhouse tactics, electing to stand his ground and trade during clinches.

It made for an exciting seventh round where Berto landed a slapping left hook and Mayweather countered with a hard uppercut. They continued to maul and brawl into the ninth round, but by the 10th round Bayless had to admonish both fighters for doing more talking than fighting.

Mayweather continued to clown, sticking out his tongue and staring at Berto as he went back to his corner. By the 11th, Berto was behind on the cards and desperate. He tried to press the action, but Mayweather got began bouncing around the ring offering more showboating than boxing.

“He was difficult to hold on to,” Berto said. “He’s really slippery. I was coming and used a lot of speed. But he’s real crafty.”

Mayweather retires as the reigning WBC welterweight champion.