Floyd Mayweather stops Conor McGregor in
10th round in Las Vegas
BBC Sport boxing reporter in Las Vegas
10th round in Las Vegas
BBC Sport boxing reporter in Las Vegas
The moment Mayweather beat McGregor
Floyd Mayweather extended his perfect career
record to 50 fights unbeaten by stopping Conor
McGregor in the 10th round of one of the
richest bouts in boxing history.
Floyd Mayweather extended his perfect career
record to 50 fights unbeaten by stopping Conor
McGregor in the 10th round of one of the
richest bouts in boxing history.
The former five-weight world champion faced
flurries of early punches from UFC's most iconic
figure, who was making his debut in professional
boxing at Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena.
flurries of early punches from UFC's most iconic
figure, who was making his debut in professional
boxing at Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena.
McGregor delivered a crisp uppercut in round
one and, though he edged close to breaking the
rules with several punches to the back of the
head, he imposed himself admirably without
ever looking as though he would knock out
Mayweather.
one and, though he edged close to breaking the
rules with several punches to the back of the
head, he imposed himself admirably without
ever looking as though he would knock out
Mayweather.
The American, who came out of retirement for a
potential $300m (£230m) pay day, executed a
gameplan which pounced on McGregor's lack of
conditioning for the late rounds which prove so
key on big fight nights.
potential $300m (£230m) pay day, executed a
gameplan which pounced on McGregor's lack of
conditioning for the late rounds which prove so
key on big fight nights.
As the Irishman tired, Mayweather upped his
ferocity and by round nine the 40-year-old
began to stalk his opponent, whose legs were
weakening under more successful shots.
ferocity and by round nine the 40-year-old
began to stalk his opponent, whose legs were
weakening under more successful shots.
And in the 10th, with McGregor again near the
ropes and offering little, the fight - which
followed weeks of manic build-up, spiteful
words and chaos - was over. He was not bowled
over by a conclusive blow, but with Mayweather
throwing rapidly, his target was left too
vulnerable.
ropes and offering little, the fight - which
followed weeks of manic build-up, spiteful
words and chaos - was over. He was not bowled
over by a conclusive blow, but with Mayweather
throwing rapidly, his target was left too
vulnerable.
Referee Robert Byrd's stoppage may have
arrived too early for some, as McGregor's early
effort led to a belief inside the arena he could
pull off the biggest upset in the history of the
sport.
arrived too early for some, as McGregor's early
effort led to a belief inside the arena he could
pull off the biggest upset in the history of the
sport.
But the 29-year-old was wilting and was down
89-81 89-82 87-83 on the ringside cards when
the stoppage came.
His effort and display should be commended,
but Mayweather's poise and invincibility remain
constant into retirement.
89-81 89-82 87-83 on the ringside cards when
the stoppage came.
His effort and display should be commended,
but Mayweather's poise and invincibility remain
constant into retirement.
Mayweather said: "He was a lot better than I
thought. But I was the better man. I guaranteed
everybody this would not go the distance.
thought. But I was the better man. I guaranteed
everybody this would not go the distance.
Boxing's reputation was on the line."
McGregor, who said he would return to the UFC
but would not rule out boxing again, said: "I
thought it was close and I thought it was a bit of
an early stoppage. I was just a little fatigued."
McGregor, who said he would return to the UFC
but would not rule out boxing again, said: "I
thought it was close and I thought it was a bit of
an early stoppage. I was just a little fatigued."
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