Floyd Mayweather beat Conor McGregor by a technical knockout with a 10th‑round stoppage in a much‑hyped fight that is expected to be the most lucrative in boxing history.
40-year-old Mayweather started cautiously as UFC lightweight champion McGregor, making his professional boxing debut, landed a first‑round uppercut.
But 29-year-old McGregor looked too tired before the referee called time on the Irishman in Las Vegas.
It saw the former five‑weight world champion, Mayweather extend his record to 50‑0.
Mayweather says he will now retire from boxing.
The American, who came out of retirement for a potential $300m 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 tiredness took hold, Mayweather upped his ferocity. By round nine the 40‑year‑old began to stalk McGregor, whose legs were weakening as his rival fired and landed more.
And in the 10th, again near the ropes and with the Irishman offering little, the fight which followed weeks of manic build‑up, spiteful words and chaos was over.
Referee Robert Byrd's stoppage may have arrived too early for some, as McGregor's early effort meant he was in the contest on the scorecards.
But the 29‑year‑old McGregor was wilting and, though his effort and display should be commended, Mayweather's poise and invincibility remains constant.
Source: BBC
