Floyd throws his last punch

CHAMPION: I’LL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AS A WINNER

Beaten McGregor praised after taking him to 10 rounds.

Floyd Mayweather insisted he would head into a permanent retirement after sealing his place in boxing history with a 50th straight win against Conor McGregor on Saturday.

The 40-year-old American boxer outclassed McGregor over 10 absorbing rounds at the T-Mobile Arena to defeat Irish mixed martial arts by technical knockout.

The win sees Mayweather, who had come out of a two-year retirement to face McGregor, surpass heavyweight legend Rocky Marciano with a perfect record of 500.

Afterward former welterweight king Mayweather insisted he would never be seen in a ring again.

“This was my last fight tonight. For sure,” Mayweather said, praising his beaten opponent.

“Tonight was my last fight. Tonight I chose the right dance partner to dance with.

“Conor, you are a hell of a champion.”

Mayweather also rejected suggestions that his 50th victory – against an opponent who had never boxed professionally before – would be destined to have an asterisk against it.

“A win is a win, no matter how you get it,” Mayweather said. “Rocky Marciano was a legend and I look forward to going into the Hall of Fame one day.”

Mayweather meanwhile revealed the fight had followed a tactical plan as he took his time and allowed McGregor to become tired before pouncing in the later rounds.

“Our game plan was to take our time, go to him, let him shoot his shots early and then take him out down the stretch,” Mayweather said.

“We know in MMA he fights for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, he started to slow down. I guaranteed to everybody that this wouldn’t go the distance.”

Mayweather insisted that his legacy as one of boxing’s greats would remain intact following his controversial meeting with McGregor, which had been panned by many in boxing.

“After 21 years, I’ve had some great fights, I had boring fights,” Mayweather said. “But at the end of the day I’ll be remembered as a winner.

“I know how to dissect my opponents, break them down and stick to the game plan.” –

Picture: USA TODAY Sports Floyd Mayweather Jr lands a straight right against Conor McGregor during their fight at T-Mobile Arena in the early hours yesterday morning. Mayweather won by a TKO in the 10th round in his 50th and final fight.

Picture: USA TODAY Sports G.O.A.T. Floyd Mayweather celebrates with the Money Belt after his TKO victory over Ireland’s Conor McGregor at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.