Floyd Mayweather was defeated by a decision in the semi-finals. The dubious outcome was heightened when the match referee inadvertently lifted the American's hand, thinking he had won. Following the battle, the US team filed a protest, but it was unsuccessful.
Mayweather has never been beaten in his career and is considered by many to be the best boxer of all time. He is also known for his aggressive style and for being one of the highest paid athletes in the world. Mayweather first gained attention at the age of 18 when he starred in a series of boxing films called The Money Team, which earned him over $100 million. This made him one of the youngest people to ever earn this much money. In 2005, he defended his WBC welterweight title for the first time against Ricky Hatton. They met again four years later at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, where Hatton was forced to retire after suffering two devastating cuts above his eye during the bout. Mayweather won by technical knockout.
He went on to defeat Robert Guerrero in 2011 and 2012 to add the WBO super featherweight championship to his arsenal. In 2014, Mayweather fought to a draw with Marcos Maidana after 12 rounds. A week later, however, Maidana tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs after the fight and was stripped of his title. Mayweather then became the new champion.
There will be no winner named, and if there is no knockout, the fight is over. A "win" for Floyd if the bout was scored, but a moral triumph for Paul for surviving all eight rounds against an all-time great. Mayweather took the lead with his 43rd punch out of 28. Mayweather missed with a hook and then landed one. He followed this up with two more hooks and a left hand that dropped Paul twice in the same round.
Mayweather ended the round by landing a series of punches, including a right-left-right that put Paul down and out at 2:49 of the first round. The referee stopped the fight immediately, giving Floyd his 50th win by KO/TKO.
In the aftermath of the fight, both men were taken to hospital where they were treated for cuts and bruises. Floyd had several bones broken in his face which required surgery to repair. He also suffered injuries to his hands and arms from Paul's punches. The injury that threatened Floyd's eye was not serious and he was cleared to resume training 3 months after the fight.
Paul Mares has said he will continue fighting until he is given a reason not to. He has already been offered a rematch by Mayweather who wants to end their rivalry once and for all. However, Paul has other ideas and says he wants to keep on fighting until he gets a title shot. Either way, this fight should have been done away with long before it reached the eighth round.
There were few highlights in the 12 rounds of action, as Mayweather went on to win a unanimous decision (116-112, 116-112, 118-110), extend his career record to 48-0, and add the WBO belt to his collection. You can see the action for yourself above.
Mayweather started off slowly, trying to figure out how Berto would try to attack him. But once he did find an opening, he used his power and speed to his advantage, picking Berto apart with hooks, crosses, and uppercuts until he saw him stumble back toward the ropes at one point in round three. From there on out, it was all Mayweather, as he scored well-timed blows to the head and body to secure himself yet another victory.
Berto showed great heart throughout, but he was no match for Mayweather's power and skill. The American champion may not have had the most exciting fight, but he proved why he is considered by many to be not only the best pound-for-pound fighter in boxing, but also one of the greatest champions ever. He will now go on to face Manny Pacquiao in what promises to be an even bigger fight later this year. In order for Mayweather to secure a record eighth world title, he will have to get by Juan Manuel Marquez in the final eliminator on September 14th.
Floyd Mayweather Sr. agreed to coach Oscar De La Hoya and be in his corner for the bout, but De La Hoya chose to train with Freddie Roach instead. Mayweather won the battle in 12 rounds by split decision, earning the WBC championship. Many experts and ringside observers, though, believed Mayweather should have gotten a unanimous decision. After the fight, many people wondered out loud why De La Hoya would even want to be in the same ring as his father-in-law, but the younger De La Hoya had seen enough of his father's coaching to know it was best if he kept them apart.
Mayweather Sr. did not travel to Las Vegas for the fight. He stayed in Los Angeles to care for his wife, who was still recovering from surgery.
Oscar De La Hoya trained with Freddie Roach from July 23-26, 2009 for six workouts ahead of their showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the main event of the World Boxing Council (WBC) 154lb championship. The plan was for De La Hoya to learn what kind of strategy and training camp would help him win a world title against the undefeated boxer from Tijuana, Mexico, but just before the fight was set to take place, De La Hoya announced that he had changed his mind and wanted his father, trainer Freddie Roach, by his side instead.
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