Floyd Mayweather stops Conor McGregor in 10th Round of 'The Money Fight'

LAS VEGAS – Conor McGregor had a fast start in his boxing debut, but ultimately it was

Floyd Mayweather who weathered the early storm, picked up the pace and put the UFC champion away when he gassed late.

Mayweather threw very few punches in the first three rounds, but as many analysts predicted, he adjusted to McGregor’s size and style, started to score in the middle rounds, and finally finished the Irishman in the 10th round. It was Mayweather’s first stoppage win since 2011.

The heavily favored Mayweather (50-0 boxing) moved his record to a perfect 50-0 in what he said was his actual retirement fight. McGregor (21-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC, 0-1 boxing) lost his professional boxing debut – but lasted much longer than most critics said he was likely to go against the 21-year boxing veteran.

“He’s a lot better than I thought he was,” Mayweather said afterward. “He’s a tough competitor, but I was the better man tonight. Our game plan was to take our time, go to him, let him shoot all his heavy shots early, then take him out down the stretch.”

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