LAS VEGAS--Heading into the much hyped 'Fight of the Century', Floyd Mayweather Jr. repeatedly said his welterweight showdown with Manny Pacquiao was all about defining his legacy while preserving a perfect record as a professional.
In many ways, it was a case of 'job done' on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena where the 38-year-old American once again showcased his brilliant defensive skills as he won a unanimous decision over Pacquiao in their title bout. Pacquiao is renowned for his aggression and speed but the Filipino southpaw was continually outsmarted by Mayweather who, despite back peddling for much of the bout, controlled the pace of the fight and the geography of the ring.
Mayweather, a polarizing figure because of his arrogance and flamboyant showmanship, improved his career record to 48-0 and said during the post-fight news conference that he would fight once more, in September, before retiring from the sport. Should that pan out with the American winning his final bout, he would match the iconic 49-0 record achieved by former heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano. That would certainly be a legacy.
Yet always with Mayweather there are shades of gray in what could be a stark black-and-white reminder on paper of his superb career as a professional. All too often, he has been criticised for hand-picking his opponents, and there is also the question of his relatively low knockout rate, just 26 for a boxer who prides himself on staying out of harm's way whenever possible in the ring.
Boxing great Oscar De La Hoya, who was beaten by both Mayweather and Pacquiao before calling time on his own glittering career, was distinctly underwhelmed by Saturday's fight - mainly because of the American's style.
"Sorry boxing fans. Call me old school but I like the fans getting their money's worth by watching an action-packed fight," De La Hoya tweeted after what is expected to be the top grossing prize fight of all-time. "I'm just not into the boxing, running style. I like jumping out of my seat because a fight was existing and the fans got their money's worth."
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson agreed, tweeting: "We waited 5 years for that... #underwhelmed".
The fact that it took more than five years to make the fight happen was also part of the problem. Granted, Mayweather and Pacquiao are the greatest boxers of their generation but, at the respective ages of 38 and 36, they are in the twilight of their careers and most pundits believe they have lost some of their skills in the ring.
Had the so-called megafight taken place in 2010, with both men in their prime, their contest could well have been a genuine classic, given their contrasting styles. For Mayweather, however, Saturday's action and outcome provided proof that he is continually undervalued by the media and by many boxing fans
"Everyone's been saying for years that Floyd was scared and I would lose (against Pacquiao)," said the American, an 11-time world champion in five weight divisions who expects to make a mind-boggling $200 million from his showdown with Pacquiao. "I try to keep myself away from negative publicity. Everyone said this guy could beat Floyd, that Floyd is a chicken. The non-believers, well Floyd turned them into believers."
"(Muhammad) Ali called himself the greatest and this is my time. I am TBE (The Best Ever). I strive to be a perfectionist. TBE is not just inside the ring. I am a calculated fighter and I make smart moves outside the ring."
BRIDGETOWN--After so many false dawns, West Indies cricket fans will be wary of reading too much into Sunday's third test win over England but in drawing the three test series, the Caribbean side showed some significant signs of improvement.
West Indies cricket had been close to disintegration after last year's cancelled tour of India and the bitter dispute between the players and the board. The regional team has also suffered from the preference of several players for the shortest form of the game - Chris Gayle, Lendl Simmons, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine were among those on duty in the Indian Premier League during this series.
It may have been undiplomatic but it was not unreasonable for ECB chairman Colin Graves to describe West Indies as "mediocre" prior to the series. But the appointment of former West Indies test batsman Phil Simmons as the new coach looks a smart move and together with bowling consultant Curtly Ambrose, the backroom team appear to have instilled some much needed professionalism into the team.
Sunday's successful run chase, with the home side set a target of 192 on a wicket offering plenty of encouragement to the bowlers, was exactly the kind of situation that might have led to collapse under pressure for West Indies teams of the recent past. Instead, Jermaine Blackwood and Darren Bravo knuckled down for a 108-run fifth-wicket partnership, scoring at steady rate in 31.5 overs, to set up the victory.
There was focus, discipline and skill in that partnership and Blackwood, by instinct a classic Jamaican strokeplayer, showed with his crucial unbeaten 47 he could also play the kind of sensible knock that was needed. The 23-year-old's 85 in the first innings and his unbeaten 112 in Antigua in the first test, illustrated that he could become the middle order presence that West Indies have so sorely lacked in recent times.
Jason Holder shows great promise with both bat and ball, his unbeaten 103 to save the first test was his only big score but his five wickets in Barbados were vital. Kraigg Brathwaite would ideally have an experienced opening batting partner to guide him through this early stage of his career but he too will be encouraged by a century in the second test in Grenada.
Jerome Taylor, whose career looked almost over due to injury two years ago, now looks back to his best as his performance in Barbados, where he picked up six wickets, illustrated.
There is still a fragility to the batting, as the second test collapse in Grenada showed, but this is, by test standards, a very young team. The opening batting pair in the third test, Bajans Brathwaite and Shai Hope, were 22 and 21-years-old respectively, an unusually youthful combination to head a batting line-up.
They will have to grow up quickly though - next up in June is a two test series against Australia which will offer a stern test of their technique and composure. At least they will go into that mini-series in a positive mood after drawing with the third-ranked team in test cricket.
NASSAU--Not even Usain Bolt could overcome a big American lead as the U.S. men sprinted to a convincing victory over Jamaica in the 4x100 metres relay at the IAAF World Relays in Nassau on Saturday.
Mike Rodgers, Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay powered the Americans to a five-meter advantage through three legs of the highly anticipated race and Ryan Bailey brought the team home in 37.38 seconds.
Bolt, who had missed last year's inaugural World Relays, made up ground on Bailey in their anchor leg but could not close the gap as Jamaica, running their 2013 world championship team, finished second in 37.68.
The Americans' time equalled the seventh-fastest ever over the distance as all eight teams in the final, including third-placed Japan, earned automatic qualifying spots for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The victory highlighted a sparkling night for U.S. athletes, who also set a world record in the women's distance medley and took top honours in the men's 4x800m relay.
Shannon Rowbury anchored the U.S. women home in 10 minutes, 36.50 seconds in the medley with strong support from Treniere Moser, Sanya Richards-Ross and Ajee Wilson. The relay, which has just became a world record event, consists of legs of 1,200, 400, 800 and 1,600m. Kenya were second and Poland third.
Robby Andrews led the U.S. men to a championship record 7:04.84 in the 4x800 with Poland second and Australia third.
Misfortune struck the Americans in the other final, the women's 4x200, when Jeneba Tarmoh and Allyson Felix collided. Nigeria claimed the victory in 1:30.52 with Jamaica second after the Bahamas were disqualified.
The relays were to conclude on Sunday with Bolt likely getting a second chance to beat the Americans in the 4x200m.
BRIDGETOWN--After so many false dawns, West Indies cricket fans will be wary of reading too much into Sunday's third test win over England but in drawing the three test series, the Caribbean side showed some significant signs of improvement.
West Indies cricket had been close to disintegration after last year's cancelled tour of India and the bitter dispute between the players and the board. The regional team has also suffered from the preference of several players for the shortest form of the game - Chris Gayle, Lendl Simmons, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine were among those on duty in the Indian Premier League during this series.
It may have been undiplomatic but it was not unreasonable for ECB chairman Colin Graves to describe West Indies as "mediocre" prior to the series. But the appointment of former West Indies test batsman Phil Simmons as the new coach looks a smart move and together with bowling consultant Curtly Ambrose, the backroom team appear to have instilled some much needed professionalism into the team.
Sunday's successful run chase, with the home side set a target of 192 on a wicket offering plenty of encouragement to the bowlers, was exactly the kind of situation that might have led to collapse under pressure for West Indies teams of the recent past. Instead, Jermaine Blackwood and Darren Bravo knuckled down for a 108-run fifth-wicket partnership, scoring at steady rate in 31.5 overs, to set up the victory.
There was focus, discipline and skill in that partnership and Blackwood, by instinct a classic Jamaican strokeplayer, showed with his crucial unbeaten 47 he could also play the kind of sensible knock that was needed. The 23-year-old's 85 in the first innings and his unbeaten 112 in Antigua in the first test, illustrated that he could become the middle order presence that West Indies have so sorely lacked in recent times.
Jason Holder shows great promise with both bat and ball, his unbeaten 103 to save the first test was his only big score but his five wickets in Barbados were vital. Kraigg Brathwaite would ideally have an experienced opening batting partner to guide him through this early stage of his career but he too will be encouraged by a century in the second test in Grenada.
Jerome Taylor, whose career looked almost over due to injury two years ago, now looks back to his best as his performance in Barbados, where he picked up six wickets, illustrated.
There is still a fragility to the batting, as the second test collapse in Grenada showed, but this is, by test standards, a very young team. The opening batting pair in the third test, Bajans Brathwaite and Shai Hope, were 22 and 21-years-old respectively, an unusually youthful combination to head a batting line-up.
They will have to grow up quickly though - next up in June is a two test series against Australia which will offer a stern test of their technique and composure. At least they will go into that mini-series in a positive mood after drawing with the third-ranked team in test cricket.
NASSAU--Not even Usain Bolt could overcome a big American lead as the U.S. men sprinted to a convincing victory over Jamaica in the 4x100 metres relay at the IAAF World Relays in Nassau on Saturday.
Mike Rodgers, Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay powered the Americans to a five-meter advantage through three legs of the highly anticipated race and Ryan Bailey brought the team home in 37.38 seconds.
Bolt, who had missed last year's inaugural World Relays, made up ground on Bailey in their anchor leg but could not close the gap as Jamaica, running their 2013 world championship team, finished second in 37.68.
The Americans' time equalled the seventh-fastest ever over the distance as all eight teams in the final, including third-placed Japan, earned automatic qualifying spots for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The victory highlighted a sparkling night for U.S. athletes, who also set a world record in the women's distance medley and took top honours in the men's 4x800m relay.
Shannon Rowbury anchored the U.S. women home in 10 minutes, 36.50 seconds in the medley with strong support from Treniere Moser, Sanya Richards-Ross and Ajee Wilson. The relay, which has just became a world record event, consists of legs of 1,200, 400, 800 and 1,600m. Kenya were second and Poland third.
Robby Andrews led the U.S. men to a championship record 7:04.84 in the 4x800 with Poland second and Australia third.
Misfortune struck the Americans in the other final, the women's 4x200, when Jeneba Tarmoh and Allyson Felix collided. Nigeria claimed the victory in 1:30.52 with Jamaica second after the Bahamas were disqualified.
The relays were to conclude on Sunday with Bolt likely getting a second chance to beat the Americans in the 4x200m.
