Las Vegas, May 3 (IANS) American boxer Floyd Mayweather extended his perfect overall fight record to 48-0 with a unanimous decision over Manny Pacquiao here and said he’ll retire after one more bout.
“He is a hell of a fighter,” Mayweather said of Pacquiao after the bout on Saturday. The Filipino icon has won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions, reports Xinhua.
“I take my hat off to him. Now I see why he’s one of the guys that are at the pinnacle of the sport of boxing.”
Total revenues of the fight were projected to reach as much as $400 million. Mayweather expected to rake in $200 million and Pacquiao was in line for a potential $100 million payday once revenue from sources, including pay-per-view television sales, was counted.
Mayweather reiterated that he plans to fight just one more time.
With one more fight, the 38-year-old Mayweather will fulfill his rich six-fight deal with telecaster Showtime. And with one more victory, he would match the iconic 49-0 overall ring record of Rocky Marciano.
Mayweather has insisted throughout the build-up to the Pacquiao fight that 49-0 would be enough for him — although sceptics think that should he get there he won’t be able to resist trying for a 50th win.
“My last fight is in September, and then it’s time for me to hang it up,” Mayweather said.
“I’m almost 40 years old now. I’ve been in this sport for 19 years and have been a champion for 18 years. I’m truly blessed.”