Mayweather cruises into retirement

Associated Press

LAS VEGAS

Floyd Mayweather Jr. went out just as expected — on top and leaving boxing fans yearning for more.

Andre Berto wasn’t expected to give him much trouble, and he didn’t. Mayweather served notice in the opening minute of his Saturday fight with Berto that it would be an easy night and it was, with Mayweather winning all 12 rounds on one ringside scorecard.

Another yawner of a win. Another $32 million to buy a few more exotic cars and gas up the private jet.

Now he heads into retirement, or so he says. Mayweather has been insistent he will fight no more, no matter the lure of a rematch with Manny Pacquiao or another fight with Miguel Cotto or Canelo Alvarez.

“You gotta know when to go. I’ve had a great career,” Mayweather said. “I’m leaving with all my faculties. I feel like I’m smart and sharp.”

Was he the best ever as he contends? No, largely because he didn’t fight often enough, refused to fight anywhere but at home, and hand-picked opponents when he thought they were most vulnerable.

What Mayweather can lay claim to is being one of the greatest defensive fighters ever, in the conversation certainly with the late Willie Pep.

That was evident against Berto, just as it was against Pacquiao in May. Mayweather dominated with his defense and ring smarts, just as he did so many times in a pro career where he fought 49 times and won 49 times.

“It was difficult to fight him,” Berto said. “He was really, really slippery.”

Mayweather is certainly the richest fighter ever, that’s for sure. He sold an estimated $750 million in pay per views in his last five fights alone, and made more than $220 million in his megafight with Pacquiao.