Live Blog: Mayweather makes grand exit, dominates Berto and again says he’s done

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Published Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015 | 7 p.m.

Updated Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015 | 9:48 p.m.

The script rarely changed for Floyd Mayweather Jr. on fight night.

Mayweather, this era’s pound-for-pound king and arguably one of boxing’s all-time best, put on another dominating performance in what he billed as his final fight, grabbing an unanimous-decision — 117-111, 118-110, 120-108 — victory against Andre Berto at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Mayweather moved to 49-0 all-time by using a formula we’ve seen before. He was aggressive early, took few risks, used his speed and outboxed an opponent. Love or hate him, you can’t dispute his skill set and speed, nor can you compare him to many in the lower weights all-time.

Berto, who closed as a plus-600 underdog at the MGM sports book, had no chance. Mayweather landed 232 of his 410 punches for an impressive 57 percent, and Berto managed to land just 83 of the 495 punches he threw.

"He is really crafty. He did the little things to keep me off rhythm," Berto said.

In the 11th round, we saw a side of Mayweather that he has rarely showed, especially late in a fight. He started having fun, dancing around the ring and flashing a smile from ear to ear. He seemed at peace — like someone about to retire.

Some doubt he’ll walk away, saying he can’t say no to his pals at the MGM when they open a $375 million arena in the spring behind New York-New York. But for tonight, he’ll stick to claims we’ll never see him fight again.

Unlike at other fights, his family was ringside, giving Mayweather more ammunition to fuel his claim he won’t be back. There was a video tribute before the fight in which his children talked about Mayweather the father, not the fighter.

The video showed the family swimming and shopping in Las Vegas, alluding that’s how the 38-year-old’s life will be post-boxing.

”You have to know when it is time to hang it up,” Mayweather said in the ring afterward. “I’m still sharp, time-smart.”

With his children ringside, Mayweather dominating Berto in ‘final’ fight

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is putting on a clinic tonight against Andre Berto in his “final” fight and leads comfortably after seven rounds.

Depending on which journalist you poll scoring the fight, they either have Mayweather winning all seven rounds, or losing just one. I gave the third to Berto, who entered losing three of six fights and is clearly overwhelmed. Let’s be honest: He was hand-picked because it wouldn’t be a challenge to Mayweather in fulfilling his contract with Showtime.

Mayweather is faster, more aggressive and more polished. You can why he’s this era’s best pound-for-pound fighter.

Mayweather still the aggressor against Berto, leads 39-37 after four rounds

Floyd Mayweather landed the most significant punch of the night through the initial four rounds of his welterweight fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena toward the end of the fourth, connecting with a solid right to Andre Berto’s head.

Mayweather is leading his final fight 39-37 after four, starting strong by winning the first two rounds but losing the third (on my scorecard, of course).

In the third, Berto — a former two-time champ — finally showed some aggression. He landed some jabs and pushed Mayweather back, causing his hand to hit the canvas. It wasn’t ruled a knockout, though, and caused Mayweather to flash a smile.

Mayweather appears calm and at peace, at least to this observer.

Mayweather ahead after initial two rounds

Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s last fight has produced little back-and-forth action in the initial two rounds, but the undefeated Mayweather has clearly been the aggressor and should be ahead 20-18.

Berto, who closed as a plus-600 betting underdog at the MGM, was extremely passive in the first round. Mayweather, who is sticking to claims this will be his last fight, has been on the attack most of the fight.

Action picked up briefly in the second round, but just like Mayweather’s most recent fight against Manny Pacquiao, this one lacks immediate action.

Mayweather is really selling his retirement. Before the fight, there was a video tribute with interviews from his children. His kids are ringside for the night — a rarity.

Prefight: Could this be the last we see of Floyd Mayweather Jr.?

We don’t want to listen to what Floyd Mayweather Jr. is telling us. We can’t imagine why he would walk away from boxing after tonight.

The 38-year-old Mayweather, a Las Vegas resident, has stuck to his story: After his bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena against lightly regarded Andre Berto, he’ll be finished with boxing and satisfied with a 49-0 record. He’ll look forward to his post-boxing life — wagering on sports at the M Resort, and traveling the globe to sit courtside at basketball games, are some of his favorite hobbies.

He’s a minus-3,000 betting favorite over Berto, meaning there’s a slim-to-none chance of Mayweather exiting the ring for the “last” time a loser.

But will it be the last time? It can’t be, we feel.

The new $375 million MGM/AEG Las Vegas Arena is scheduled to open in April behind New York-New York, a facility so stunning it could lure boxing’s biggest draw back for one more night. Mayweather was front-and-center for the groundbreaking, and his relationship with MGM officials remains strong. If they ask, he could agree out of respect for his friends.

And, of course, there’s the appeal of bringing a 50-0 record in retirement, meaning he’d need one more victory to conclude on a nice, whole number. Does he really want to be remembered for fighting Berto as a last opponent?

Berto has lost three of his last six fights, and the fight hasn’t caught the attention of fans because of the opponent. Tickets still remained during the week and the $74.95 pay-per-view, the last of Mayweather’s six-fight contract with Showtime, is expected to be a flop.

He made about $250 million last May’s to fight Manny Pacquiao in what was expected to be the “Fight of the Century,” but failed to deliver on excitement in the ring. Tonight, his purse is $32 million, and he’ll get more once the pay-per-view is calculated.

All signs, we feel, lead to one more big payday in the new arena against a more notable foe. For know, though, it’s a date with Berto in what Mayweather has promised all week will be the last we see of “The Best Ever.”

I’ll keep everyone posted once the fight begins. You can also follow me on Twitter @raybrewer21.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21