MIAMI GARDENS, Florida – Floyd Mayweather wanted a knockout Sunday night.
Without judges scoring his exhibition against Logan Paul, stopping Paul was the only way Mayweather could’ve been declared the winner of their eight-rounder. The retired legend realized that would be a difficult task as the rounds continued because Paul, perhaps 50-plus pounds heavier than him, simply attempted to do everything he could to go the distance with him at Hard Rock Stadium.
“It was fun,” Mayweather said during a post-fight press conference. “You know, I wanted to give the people a show and he was fighting to survive, as you guys could see. Every time he’d punch, he’ll clinch. Every time he’d punch, he’ll clinch. He was the bigger guy. And, um, a little awkward, but his background is wrestling, if I’m not mistaken. So, he was good at tying me up.
“So, a guy that came in over 200-and-something pounds, I came in at 155. But no excuses. I had fun tonight and, you know, I go out there to put on a show. And I really believe that just going the distance, that was a win for him, so he was happy with going the distance.”
The 44-year-old Mayweather spent a lot of their bout trying to free himself from Paul’s grasp. The 26-year-old Paul seemed exhausted by the middle rounds, but Mayweather’s extremely inexperienced opponent figured out a way to avoid getting badly hurt by the clean punches Mayweather was able to land in their Showtime Pay-Per-View main event.
Jake Paul, Logan’s younger brother, claimed after their exhibition ended that Logan Paul won more rounds than Mayweather and thus should be considered the first fighter to defeat the five-division champion.
“If they’re happy with holding [for] eight rounds, dancing and grappling for eight rounds, congratulations,” Mayweather said. “You know, I don’t – one thing about me, I don’t go back and forth because we went out there, we did what we had to do and that’s what it is.”
Mayweather admitted Paul was better and more durable than he anticipated. The Grand Rapids, Michigan, native’s weight disadvantage also made matters difficult for Mayweather, who weighed in 34½ pounds lighter than Paul on Saturday.
“He can grapple,” Mayweather said. “He’s good with holding. He’s very, very good with holding. And like I said before, his background is wrestling. So, you know, when a guy weigh over 200-and-something pounds holding you, you know, I’m trying my best. Even though I got a lot of experience, but it’s hard to get a heavyweight off you.
“You know, I fight at welterweight, fighting a heavyweight. And like I said before, I had fun. I’m pretty sure he had fun. You know, the brothers, Jake as well as Logan, was so happy that his brother was able to go the distance. So, it was cool.”
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.