Boxer Mayweather beats Berto, wins 49 straight bouts

American boxer Floyd Mayweather claimed a points victory over challenger Andre Berto to win 49 consecutive bouts here.

Mayweather, the defending World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight titles, secured a unanimous 120-108, 118-110 and 117-111 verdict from the judges at the MGM Grand on Saturday.

With the win, Mayweather equalled legend Rocky Marciano's career record of 49-0. His challenger Berto, 32, was a two-time welterweight world champion and approached the fight having lost only three of his 33 professional bouts.

Mayweather declared that Saturday's fight was his last appearance in the ring.

"My career is over, that's official," the five-weight world champion Mayweather was quoted as saying by bbc.com.

Mayweather, 38, is widely regarded as the greatest fighter of his generation.

"You've got to know when to hang them up. I'm close to 40 now. There's nothing left to prove in the sport of boxing. Now I just want to spend time with my family."

"I am leaving the sport with all my faculties, I'm still sharp and smart. I've accomplished everything in this sport, there's nothing else to accomplish."