Undefeated WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. of the US (centre) celebrates with members of his team after defeating Robert Guerrero, also of the US, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, late on Saturday. Mayweather retained his title by unanimous decision.
LAS VEGAS, Nevada: World Boxing Council champion Floyd Mayweather extended his perfect record to 44 victories late Saturday, beating Robert Guerrero by unanimous decision in their welterweight title fight.
Mayweather, who was defending his title for the first time since serving a jail term for domestic violence, dominated a bloodied Guerrero for most of the fight at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino.
All three judges scored the 12-round fight 117-111 in favour of Mayweather.
“I had a good tough battle with Robert Guerrero,” Mayweather said. “It was blood, sweat and tears tonight.”
The 36-year-old Mayweather was also fighting for the first time in a year as he improved to 44-0 with 26 knockouts. Guerrero, who had his 15-fight win streak dating back to 2005 snapped, fell to 31-2-1, with 18 knockouts.
Mayweather spent close to three months in jail beginning in June after being convicted of domestic violence involving the mother of his three children. “I wouldn’t wish being locked up on anyone,” Mayweather said Saturday. “That’s a rough position, being locked up 23 hours a day with one hour out.”
Both fighters had their fathers working their corners Saturday.
Mayweather sacked his uncle and longtime cornerman Roger Mayweather in favour of bringing his father Floyd Sr back for this fight.
The two fathers grabbed most of the pre-fight attention by exchanging verbal jabs, with Ruben Guerrero calling Floyd Jr a “woman beater” in the build up to the bout.
Mayweather had plenty of critics heading into Saturday’s fight who said factors working against him included increasing age, the change in trainers and the conviction and jail term.
“Everybody was saying because I am 36 that I don’t have it no more, that my defence wasn’t sharp, but I proved myself,” Mayweather said. AFP
