F Mayweather Jr v J M Marquez (MAYWEATHER BACK WITH STYLISH WIN)

Floyd Mayweather returned to the ring for the first time in more than 20 months with a deeply impressive unanimous points victory over Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

Mayweather, who announced his retirement after conquering Manchester's Ricky Hatton in December 2007, looked as if he had never been away from boxing as he gave triple world lightweight champion Marquez the runaround in this non-title welterweight fight.

The 32-year-old American (now 40-0) looked a class apart throughout from his illustrious opponent (50-5-1), who had no answers to the former P4P king after stepping up two weight divisions.

Mayweather was characteristically adept from the outset at staying out of range.

After a cagey first round which saw Marquez aim but mostly fail to land a series of left jabs and hooks, the Mexican did connect with a neat combination in the second - only to find himself on the floor within seconds, on the end of a crunching left hook.

Marquez recovered his composure from mid-round but had to contend with an elusive opponent, who continually kept him on the move yet found his target whenever he chose to get in close.

By the fourth, Marquez had the added complication of a cut above his right eye - and one useful right hand apart, still he kept missing when he went for the big shots.

It was Marquez who was using up all the energy, Mayweather's footwork and agility providing a contrasting efficiency of effort.

Mayweather's only apparent danger was complacency, and he was caught momentarily in the seventh.

But normal service was quickly resumed, Mayweather goading the Mexican as he tried but failed to get through expert defences.

From the ninth, the former five-weight champion and overwhelming favourite decided to up the tempo in search of an early finish. That did not materialise against a famously tenacious opponent - but there was never any question about Mayweather's superiority.

The scorecards underlined his dominance, with Mayweather prevailing easily by scores of 118-109, 120-107 and 119-108.


ROUND BY ROUND > > >


Round One: Under way for this eagerly-awaited bout in the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Floyd lands immediately with a left jab. Two fighters feeling each other out but Floyd taking centre ring straight away and popping out that left jab. Marquez, not surprisingly given that he's half a stone heavier than ever before, slightly fleshier than normal around the mid-section. Marquez misses with a whipping left, but Floyd scores with a left hook of his own. So quick, so difficult to hit. No apparent ring rust in the early going. Marquez tries to move in with another left but that Mayweather shoulder roll already doing its job. Not too much landed in the opener, but Floyd Jr looking very comfortable already.

Round Two: Out for the second and what can Marquez produce here? He need to do something to get Floyd out of that comfort zone. He's showing plenty of aggression early, at least trying to land punches against the former P4P king. Good right from Marquez, pierced Mayweather's defences to land flush on Floyd's jaw. But then, almost immediately, MARQUEZ IS DOWN. Two left hooks did the damage, second one put him down. Marquez back up after the eight count. Perfect way to hit back after being caught himself there by Floyd Jr. Looking very impressive so far. Marquez just can't cope with the speed of 'Money'. Floyd Jr not surprisingly growing in confidence, and making the number 2 P4P fighter in the world look pretty average in comparison.

Round Three: Out for round three and Marquez really up against it now. Floyd so far too quick and too powerful. No ring rust at all - almost like he's never been away. Marquez circumspect as he tries to counter the blazing speed of 'Money' and his counter-attacks. Another left from Floyd, as Marquez paws out a wary jab. Marquez on the front foot momentarily, but Floyd easily slipping his punches. Marquez misses wildly with a big right and Floyd then lands another lovely left hand. Almost a smile on Mayweather's face. Looking so confident. Floyd jabs and then ducks out of range as Marquez again has to do the chasing. Another round in the bag for 'Money' - just too good so far.

Round Four: Nacho Beristain giving anxious orders to Marquez in his corner, think he might need a miracle here. Crowd chanting "Meheeco, Meheeco" in a bid to rouse Juanma, but he just can't get in range to score while Floyd is ducking in and out at will to score with classy counters. Marquez now cut by his right eye. Really up against it here. Cracking right from Marquez but Mayweather just eats it and smiles. Remember Juanma has never fought about 135lbs before tonight. Does he have the power to hurt Floyd? Not if that smile was bona fide. Marquez goes off balance as he swings wildly. Desperation stakes for him.

Round Five: All four rounds to Mayweather for me so far. I'd be incredibly surprised if the judges disagree. Marquez again trying to get in close to land in the fifth, but again Mayweather just too quick. Floyd misses with a left. Marquez has his man on the ropes just for a moment and swings away, but Mayweather ducks away and is again in control. Cracking left from Floyd, so so quick. Working with surgical precision, now scores with a whipping right hand. Another left hook off the back foot. Marquez just at the moment has no answers - paying a heavy price every time he lunges forward. Juanma opens up in the final 10 seconds but again can't land. An exhibition so far by the former P4P king.

Round Six: Will be interesting to see how Marquez holds up stamina-wise. Carrying more weight than ever before and having to work very hard to get close to Floyd. Mayweather spearing out that left jab. Left hook from Marquez but again no real impact - Floyd still effortlessly in control. Marquez shaken again by a lovely right from Mayweather. Now an uppercut from Floyd just misses the chin of Marquez. Near miss from the Mexican as 'Money' opens fully his box of tricks. Marquez ends the round on the ropes in the corner as Floyd tees off and lands with some cracking shots. Lovely right to close the round. 6-0 Mayweather for me.

Round Seven: Into the second half of this bout, one-way traffic so far. Action slowing a little in this session, still Floyd controlling things though. Lands an uppercut from the ropes as Marquez tries to assert. Floyd leaves himself open and Marquez scores. But those sort of shots are all too scarce at the moment. Juanma backs up Floyd in the corner, but he still can't land cleanly. Like so many before him, trying to solve the puzzle that is Floyd 'Money' Mayweather. Marquez constantly chasing Floyd now, really throwing caution to the wind. But not ever really being able to plant his feet and land with any sort of authority.

Round Eight: Nobody has ever stopped Marquez of course, and the Mexican has taken a certain Manny Pacquiao to the wire twice. Would look pretty decent on Floyd's cv if he could get the job done inside distance here. Marquez still trying hard here, but just doesn't have the skills so far. Problem is Floyd is always in supreme condition, so not much chance of him tiring either. Floyd boxing within himself here, but opens up with a lovel right. Two hooks and then jab land for Floyd, while his defence remains almost impregnable. Mayweather ends the round on the ropes, waving Marquez onto him. Juanma lands a right and Floyd acknowledges it.

Round Nine: Roger Mayweather telling Floyd in the corner that Marquez is about ready to go. Not quite sure about that, but we'll find out pretty soon. Floyd popping out the jab again as Marquez desperately tries to up the pace and get close enough to land. Mexican fans again getting right behind Marquez as he tries a left hook to the body. But not much, if anything, has bothered Floyd so far. Slashing right from Floyd lands cleanly as Marquez takes punishment on the ropes. Now a smashing right from Mayweather lands and there's blood coming from the nose of Marquez. Those right hands from Mayweather gradually wearing down the brave Marquez, who is now bleeding from his right eye and his nose.

Round 10: Just nine minutes now between Floyd Mayweather Jr and a 40th victory from 40 professional fights. Or less if he steps it up a gear. Every round a 'Money' round for me so far. Floyd now loading up on that right. Starting to do real damage with it. Now Mayweather hurts Marquez with a body shot. Very little of note coming back from Juanma in this round. Looking tired the Mexican, but a true warrior as ever. Combination from Marquez but absolutely no effect. Crisp right from Floyd to end another round in style.

Round 11: Tony Weeks visited the Marquez corner between rounds and it looked like it could be over just for a second with Beristain shaking his head. But out comes Marquez for the penultimate session. Only real question is whether he can make the final bell. Still giving it everything though, loading up with flurries but they don't hurt Floyd. They haven't all night. Floyd now bullying Marquez on the ropes - too big and too strong as well as too fast. Great uppercut from Floyd. Surgical precision again. Now the Mexican misses wildly with three or four shots as Floyd ducks and weaves out of range. Lovely right from Floyd as Weeks has a close look. Another big right from Mayweather with 30 seconds left in the round. Guts from Marquez, but the quality from Mayweather.

Round 12: Into the final round and the two fighters respectfully touch gloves. So far a virtual shutout for 'Money' but you have to remember Marquez has come up two weight divisions for this. Juanma not just trying to survive here - still trying to cause some damage to that Mayweather armour. Cracking overhand right from Floyd as we reach halfway in the final round. Left-right combination now stops Marquez in his tracks. Juanma still throwing leather, but still eating crisp counters from Floyd. Into the final 20 seconds, big right rocks Marquez again. Brave effort from the Mexican though. Final bell and while we await the scores from the judges there's no doubt he's won by a massive margin for me.

 

he's not a very likeable chap though is he?

he was moaning that he'd be the biggest sports star in the world if he was white.
OK, you could argue that the two biggest sports of the the last 25 years are black. Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan. And who's regarded and the greatest boxer of all time? Certainly not a white man.
Its his **** attitude that holds him back.