Floyd Mayweather dominates and stops Conor McGregor

A fight seen all around the world, one of the biggest sporting spectacles ever, but Conor McGregor could not pull off the biggest upset in sporting history tonight in Las Vegas.

Facing Floyd Mayweather, McGregor was stopped in the tenth round as an encouraging start was quickly overtaken by a dominant opponent.

The Dublin mixed martial artist is a four-time world champion across the Cage Warriors and UFC promotions, but made the high-profile switch to boxing for the massive fight at the T-Mobile Arena.

A scheduled twelve-round light middleweight contest, with the WBC ‘Money belt’ being awarded to the winner, McGregor was no match for the future Hall of Famer.

After a campaign of nearly a year, McGregor had roused the five-weight world champion out of retirement for a mega money clash – and ‘The Notorious’ is looking likely to take home $100 million while Mayweather will pocket four times this sum.

A fractious build-up saw the two embark on a four-city world media tour before sparring stories would dominate the proceeding weeks. As fight week began, the hype would continue to build, reaching unparalleled levels

At yesterday’s weigh-in McGregor tipped the scales at 153lbs, while Mayweather came in at a trim 149.5lbs. While ‘Money May’ most likely remained in-and-around this weight for the fight, McGregor is believed to have come to the ring near 170lbs. However, size would prove no issue for Mayweather who quickly weathered an early storm from the SBG man.

It was a quiet opening round which was actually won by McGregor, who was the far more active fighter and who caught Mayweather with an uppercut inside – although it certainly seemed that the American was merely feeling out the mixed martial artist.

Mayweather started to up the pace in the second, dropping in some shots to the body while McGregor kept busy, throwing lots but seemingly having trouble up close.

McGregor’s pace slowed somewhat in the third, while McGregor continued his targeting of the body. The Irishman’s awkward style was causing problems with the officials, with his hammer-like shots in the clinch warranting numerous warnings.

‘The Notorious’ began the fourth quickly, but seemed to be tiring as Mayweather finally began to land upstairs.

Mayweather began to land big backhand rights in the fifth round as McGregor became more ragged. The Dubliner continued to throw, and landed a handful of meaty shots, but the writing looked to be on the wall.

McGregor risked a point deduction at the start of the sixth, hitting Mayweather numerous times when the Michigander’s back was turned. Mayweather responded with his first real succession of heavy shots.

The Mayweather dominance continued into the seventh and eighth, with the American turning the screw and jolting the head back of McGregor countless times.

Mayweather seemed momentarily hurt at the start of the of the ninth, but it looked to be due to a low blow. Perhaps invigorated by this, Mayweather pushed hard, blitzing McGregor as the Irishman seemed out on his feet and did well to survive the round.

The end then came in the tenth, with McGregor stopped standing as the barrages continued to come in from Mayweather and referee Robert Byrd stopped the Irishman standing.

The dominant win sees Mayweather move to 50(27)-0 and overtake heavyweight great Rocky Marciano. McGregor’s professional boxing record starts off at 0-1(1) and it seems doubtful that the Irishman will be seen in the squared circle again.