Mayweather wins over Pacquiao in 'fight of the century'

Floyd Mayweather's emphatic win over Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night sealed his status as a boxing great, but triggered an outcry in the Philippines and divided opinion amongst sports legends.

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao on 2 May 2015. Reuters/Steve Marcus

Mayweather comfortably picked off Pacquaio over 12 rounds to extend his 19-year unbeaten record to 38-0.

But the fight – advertised as the “fight of the century” – failed to pack the visceral punch seen in some of boxing’s most celebrated confrontations.

Still, the win was a clear one for Mayweather, with judges awarding him the decision by margins of 118-110 and 116-112.

With the win, Mayweather seized Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organisation crown.

Not everyone was converted, with former world champion Oscar de la Hoya, who lost a split decision to Mayweather in 2007, criticising his "running style."

Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, who had picked Pacquiao to win, wrote on Twitter: "We waited five years for that ... underwhelmed."

In the Philippines many echoed the disappointment of those in the ring, crying foul over the judges' decision and claiming their man was robbed of victory.

But Mayweather answered his detractors immediately after the fight yelling: "I told you!"

"Everyone said this guy could beat Floyd, that Floyd is a chicken," Mayweather said. "The non-believers, well Floyd turned them into believers."