Mayweather vs. Guerrero: Breaking Down Money's Vintage Performance

Floyd Mayweather is still Money—and that is true in every sense of the word. 

First, he is almost literally made of money. The undefeated pound-for-pound champ was already stinkin' rich before Saturday's fight, but he walked away from the MGM Grand with a cool $32 million—or just over $14,814 per second fought. 

Second, he's money in the sense of "you're so money." Despite a year-long absence from the ring and countless distractions, the 36-year-old is still clearly as talented as ever, as ESPN clearly pointed out on Twitter:

Which leads to the third—and most important—definition of the word. He's still Money May. He's still the same fighter who earned that nickname so long ago.

Saturday's dominant victory over Robert Guerrero was classic Mayweather, summed up perfectly by none other than Kobe Bryant himself:

The Ghost came after him with endless aggression, but Money showcased that world-class defense. He dodged Guerrero's swings, picked the right spots and tore the 30-year-old up with eluding quickness, pinpoint accuracy and thunderous right hands.

While many believed the time off would lead to rust or a lost step, it was just the opposite for Mayweather, who put on a legendary counter-punching clinic.

The numbers tell the entire story (via CompuBox on Twitter):

"

Final ShoStats for #MayweatherGuerrero @floydmayweather @shosports twitter.com/CompuBox/statu…

— CompuBox (@CompuBox) May 5, 2013"

Forty-one percent of his total punches landed, compared to Guerrero's 19. Sixty percent of power punches. Eighty-two more completed punches, despite throwing over 100 less. Those are staggering numbers that truly highlight just how easy Mayweather made this fight look. 

Let's take a look at the round-by-round stats:

Mayweather coasted in the final few rounds when he knew the fight was all but over, but besides that, he only continued to become more dominant as the fight wore on, eventually escalating into a this-isn't-even-fair-anymore kind of Round 8. 

Not only did Mayweather land a video-game-like—even then, you're probably going to have to be really good at the video game—77 percent of his power punches in that round, but he was also able to cut The Ghost open above his right eye. 

While there were still four rounds left, that moment figuratively signaled the end of the fight—if that wasn't already clear several rounds earlier. 

Saturday's easy win was that of a scientist, picking calculated spots, avoiding a relentless opponent and delivering devastating blows with supreme precision. 

It was a beautiful masterpiece that drew raining boos from the crowd because it was boringly efficient. 

It was a dominant victory made to look brilliantly simple, and it proved Mayweather is still—by far—the best in the world.