Mayweather vs. Berto 2015: Highlights of Money's Strategy to Beat the Beast

Floyd Mayweather Jr. retired from boxing on Saturday evening after defeating Andre Berto via unanimous decision to take his undefeated record to 49-0 in what was another clinical showcase of his everlasting pedigree.

As has been the case so many times in the 38-year-old's past, Mayweather suffocated his foe over the course of 12 rounds, to the point where one would be hard-pressed to pick out any patch of Berto dominance.

The Daily Mail's Jeff Powell isn't entirely convinced by Mayweather's alleged retirement, suggesting the welterweight phenomenon will return to make an attempt at 50 career wins before officially hanging up his gloves.

And if Saturday's display at Las Vegas' MGM Grand was anything to go by, Money could easily prolong his fighting days, as David Mayo of MLive.com showed just how one-sided the judges scored the encounter:

Having built his legacy on a mastery of self-defence, there was little chance the five-division world champion would be in any mood to alter his approach for what he insists will be his final bout.

That's not to say Mayweather neglected to turn on the flash when it mattered, though, and Sho Stats attested to the world No. 1 landing more than seven times more body shots that his opponent midway through the fight:

It's been a long, long time since Mayweather came into a fight looking to impress anyone, though. He has always opted for pragmatism ahead of panache, but his evasive technique is something that may never be replicated.

Some boxing romantics may favour the more brutish methods, but that in itself is an art form none has perfected quite like Mayweather, who modestly dubs himself "TBE"—The Best Ever.

Berto was all but too aware of how difficult it would be to get a sight of his foe and told TMZ Sports after the fight that he grew weary of chasing after his enemy in the ring.

With the fight not of a particularly thrilling standard throughout, Mayweather and Berto's war of the words midway through became a focal point before referee Kenny Bayless put an end to their chatter.

However, Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated confirmed what was exchanged between the two, with The Beast apparently hoping to unsettle Money with his sideline comments:

Ultimate Fighting Championship combatants James Krause and Kevin Lee were aggrieved to see Bayless limit this aspect of the fight, which they enjoyed as a particular highlight:

Mayweather's defensive priorities have in the past led to him finishing a long way behind his victims in the punch count, but here we witnessed a more aggressive account for stretches of Saturday's duel.

Mayo noted how the departing champion went to work first on Berto's body in the hopes it would gas his opponent later in the clash, which in turn would lead to an easier race for the finish line:

It may not be considered glamorous to all, of course, but being effective is the only factor Mayweather tends to care about, and this "final" outing was no different.

Accuracy remained a running advantage for the victor too, according to Sho Stats, with Mayweather landing almost three times as many punches as Berto overall while boasting a substantially superior hit rate:

While his boxing is fantastic, it's Mayweather's persona that has also made him such a joy to watch down the years. He talked to ESPN after the result for what could well be the last time:

Classy until the end, Mayweather takes his leave of the ring without so much as a bruise to his chin, ending his career the way he's gone about the vast majority of the last 19 years: spotless.

His swan-song show against Berto may not be unanimously hailed as befitting of such an illustrious career, but the former Pretty Boy will nonetheless look handsomely upon another astute victory before bowing out.