Floyd Mayweather beat Conor McGregor with a 10th-round stoppage in a much-hyped fight that is expected to be the most lucrative in boxing history.
Mayweather, 40, started cautiously as UFC lightweight champion McGregor, making his professional boxing debut, landed a first-round uppercut.
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But McGregor, 29, looked to tire before the referee called time on the Irishman in Las Vegas.
It saw the former five-weight world champion extend his record to 50-0.
So after lengthy instructions as to what is allowed in boxing, they did touch gloves.
McGregor came charging and dancing as expected. Mayweather backed away to absorb the assault and when he did try a jab to the stomach it fell so short that The Notorious mocked him, going far as to put his hands behind his back.
Two good left ensured a startlingly good start for McGregor.
McGregor was booed for a rabbit punch but was boxing much better than most of us expected.
He even switched effectively from southpaw to orthodox for an effective combination which gave him the second round.
Mayweather was feeling his way into this fight but still having trouble with McGregor’s height and reach.
The right jab was bothering Mr Money and the UFC man’s changes of movement and styles kept him in the ascendancy.
Mayweather could not afford to dither much longer – and he knew it.
The old maestro went to work to head and body, not only getting himself in the scorecard at last but backing up McGregor.
The McGregor jabs were more of nuisance now than a threat and Mayweather kept advancing through them.
The pressure began to tell and McGregor stumbled back from a smatter of shots.
It showed, too, when the Irishman said something to Mayweather at the end of the round and was pushed for his trouble.
Mayweather was taking charge now.
A succession of rights to the head sent McGregor staggering and gasping and there were roars of ‘Money, Money’ to drown out the Irish chants.
Mayweather keeps marching forward. There does not appear to be as much KO power in the McGregor left as in the light MMA gloves.
Again Mayweather has him on the retreat. Again the right is signalling that the end may be coming.
It’s one way traffic now. McGregor is being outclassed and bewildered, as a novice should be.
He also looks to be tiring as more precise Mayweather punches land.
McGregor gets desperate he is warned sternly by referee Byrd for hitting behind the head.
He reels before more big right and lefts, grabs Mayweather to survive a torrid round.
It’s over. Mayweather unleashed a barrage which leaves McGregor helpless on the ropes and the referee with no option but to intervene.
With reports from MailOnline
