Floyd Mayweather Jr. successfully preserved his immaculate professional boxing record, and more importantly, retained the status as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world following a clinical 12-round majority decision victory over Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez 116-112, 117-111, 114-114 Saturday night at MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada.
As expected, Mayweather Jr. used his quickness, elusive shoulder-roll defense and superb counter punching ability to dance his way to an easy victory over a much bigger but slower Alvarez in their WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine Light Middleweight showdown.
Mayweather, who already bagged $41.5 million as guaranteed fight purse and could gain more money when all Pay-Per-View numbers are finally accounted, came out strong in the first six rounds as he accurately hit Canelo with sharp jabs and a series of punch combinations.
Canelo, who entered Saturday's match-up with a 42-0 record, tried to be aggressive in the later rounds with an intention to land a devastating blow on the American, but the 23-year old Mexican slugger just could not catch Money May and went on to absorb his first professional loss in 44 fights.
"I'm not in control of the judges," Mayweather said during the post-fight interview. "I feel like I showed my skills tonight. I'm happy with my performance."
Mayweather credited Canelo for bringing his best in perhaps the biggest fight in boxing, adding that the Mexican's future remains bright despite the loss.
"Canelo is a young, strong champion, a true Mexican champion," Mayweather said. "I fought a great champion tonight, a guy that can take a loss and bounce back from it. I've had 17 years in this sport. Just because I beat him like that, he can come back from it."
Aside from Mayweather's brilliance inside the squared circle, judge C.J Ross also caught the attention of the crowd at MGM Grand Garden and millions of boxing fans around the world after presenting another controversial score.
Ross, who ironically gave seven rounds to five in favor of Timothy Bradley over Manny Pacquiao in their controversial welterweight championship clash last year, scored the bout at 114-114 despite Mayweather's complete domination in the fight.
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer was not also happy with Ross' scoring, calling it horrible.
Yet, despite the scoring drama, one thing certain about 'The One.' And that is controversy won't steal the show from boxing's biggest attraction - Money May.
Tweet of the Night and Honorable Mentions
Mayweather's fight escorts Justin Bieber really liked their friend's victory that they were spotted hugging each other by Yahoo boxing writer Dan Wetzel, who posted the odd moment on Twitter right away.
Lil Wayne and Justin Beiber are hugging in the ring. So there's that
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) September 15, 2013
"@DanWetzel: Lil Wayne and Justin Beiber are hugging in the ring. So there's that #fightnight" WHAT IS HAPPENING?! This is a bizarre night. — Cole Dabney (@cDab) September 15, 2013
The judge C.J. Ross should be investigated had some money on the fight
— Deron Williams (@DeronWilliams) September 15, 2013
Richard Schaefer calls C.J. Ross's scorecard "a disgrace." Bernard Hopkins said "I don't know what Ross was looking at." — Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) September 15, 2013
Hey @stephenasmith, Given these back-to-back bad decisions (Pacquiao, Mayweather), C.J. Ross is clearly qualified to be Secretary of State.
— Larry Elder (@larryelder) September 15, 2013
Shocked by CJ Ross' scorecard this evening...? Like @RealRoyJonesJr said, "Y'all Must've Forgot." pic.twitter.com/HIyDDR1xZb — Prescott Miller (@PrescottUFC) September 15, 2013