LAS VEGAS. – Manny Pacquiao has revealed he felt certain of victory over Floyd Mayweather when the final bell rang out in Las Vegas. The Philippines boxer was well supported inside the MGM Grand Garden, however, it couldn’t inspire him to win, as Mayweather took the fight on a unanimous points decision. But Pacquiao admits he was sure he had done enough, even raising his arms in victory at the end of the fight.

He told HBO: “It’s a good fight, I thought I won. He didn’t do nothing, just moved outside.

“I got him many times. I think I won the fight. He is moving around and it’s not easy to throw a lot of punches if your opponent moves around.

“I can handle his power, it’s not strong like other opponents. It’s not about size. I’ve been fighting bigger than him and it’s not a problem.”

The result means the 36-year-old has now lost six fights in total in his professional career.

Pacquiao also claimed he fought Mayweather with a shoulder injury picked up in a training session.

The Filipino was stifled by Mayweather, and continued counter-punching by the American saw him get across the line. However, Pacquiao has revealed at his post-fight Press conference that he had been nursing a shoulder problem picked up in training.

He said: “I respect Floyd Mayweather. The third round I really felt the pain in my shoulder.

“I fought a good fight. I did my best. My shoulder, I didn’t complain in the ring. It’s part of the game.”

Mayweather said in the ring that he would fight again but that his next bout would be his last.

“My last fight is in September and then it is time for me to hang it up,” Mayweather added. “I am almost 40 years old now, I have been in the sport 19 years, I have been world champion 18 years.

“I am truly thankful and I am blessed.”

Dubbed the “Fight of the Century” the MGM Grand Garden Arena crackled with energy as the rich and famous settled into their ringside seats.

Actors Clint Eastwood, Robert De Niro, Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington rubbed shoulders with sports celebrities such as Michael Jordan, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and billionaire Donald Trump. With prime seats commanding six-figure sums on the resale market even the very wealthy and very famous were forced to call in favours to secure a golden ticket while an estimated 150 000 to 200 000 fight fans flooded into the desert gambling capital to be part of the buzz.

Wearing a simple white T-shirt, Pacquiao knelt in his corner for a prayer as boos filled the hall when Mayweather appeared on the giant screens. – The Daily Telegraph.

There were no smiles from the stone-faced American as he entered the ring wearing black white and gold trunks and sporting a $23 000 mouth guard infused with flecks of gold and pieces of a hundred dollar bill.

Five years of hype then reached a climax when famed announcer Jimmy Lennon stood in the centre of the ring and told the crowd, “the wait is over, it’s go time”.

The bout marked Mayweather’s 11th consecutive fight at the MGM but it was Pacquiao who enjoyed a massive edge in support as he appeared in the arena.

“It is a

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