Mayweather retires

In a fight expected to be one of the highest-grossing in boxing history, Mayweather won a tight verdict from two of the three judges to improve his career record to 38-0 with 24 knockouts.

Mayweather was favoured by the official ringside statistics, connecting with 207 of 481 punches thrown to 122 of 587 for De La Hoya. He also landed 138 power punches compared to De La Hoya's 82.

"I was having fun in there," a jubilant Mayweather said after winning a world title in his fifth weight division.

"It was a hell of fight but it was easy work for me. He threw a lot of punches but they weren't landing.

"I could see the shots coming. I stayed on the outside and made him miss. He's the best fighter of our era and I beat him.

"Now I am going to retire," added Mayweather, who climbed into the ring at the start of the fight wearing a Mexican sombrero, a cheeky reference to his opponent's heritage on Cinco de Mayo.

"I don't have anything else left to prove. I want to spend more time with my children."

Fan favourite De La Hoya, arguably the biggest name in boxing despite being in the twilight of his career, was the aggressor for most of the fight, earning as many cheers as Mayweather received boos.

However, the 34-year-old Mexican-American found it increasingly difficult to penetrate Mayweather's renowned defense and his close-range jabs became more ineffective.

"I felt I won," De La Hoya said after one of the judges gave him the fight by 115 points to 113. Mayweather gained the other two verdicts 116-112 and 115-113.

"I felt I landed the harder, crisper punches," De La Hoya added. "When I landed my punches, I could see I was hurting him. I was pressing and wanted to stop him. I was trying to close the show.

"I am the champion and you've got to do more than that to beat the champion. It was not the best night for my jab. It was working but I couldn't throw it."