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LAS VEGAS -- The defence was back, just like it used to be. Jadeveon Clowney Elite Womens Jersey . Floyd Mayweather Jr.s dad was back, too, just like he used to be. And Mayweather was a winner once again -- just like he always is. Mayweather fought as if he had never left the ring, coming back from a years absence Saturday night to win a unanimous 12-round decision over Robert Guerrero in their welterweight title fight. The game plan was defence, and Mayweather followed it perfectly. With his father directing from the corner after a 13-year absence, he dominated Guerrero in a performance not totally expected at the age of 36. "I needed my father tonight," Mayweather said. "My defence was on point and he told me to stick with my defence and that the less you get hit the longer you last." Mayweather was masterful at times, landing thudding right hands and bloodying Guerreros face in a performance that mimicked some of his best fights. Mayweather hurt Guerrero on several occasions, including a series of right hands near the end of the eighth round that buckled Guerreros knees. All three judges scored the bout 117-111. The Associated Press had it 119-109. "We did it again," Mayweather said after earning at least $32 million for his nights work. "I take my hat off to Robert Guerrero. Hes a true warrior." If it wasnt terribly pleasing to the crowd of 15,880, it was terribly effective. Mayweather made a fighter who hadnt lost in eight years look befuddled as he danced and moved and shot out right hands with increasing frequency. He remained unbeaten in 44 fights and, more importantly, looked so fresh that he may follow through on his plan to fight again in September. "I was looking for the knockout but I hurt my hand," Mayweather said. "I feel bad I didnt give the fans the knockout." Mayweather was booed at times for not mixing it up more, but he didnt need to. He was content to move and land jabs and right hand leads, while Guerrero grew increasingly frustrated trying to chase him. When Guerrero did hit him, Mayweather quickly got out of the way and, more often than not, landed a right hand of his own. "I landed some good shots on him," Guerrero said. "Hes a great fighter. Hes slick and quick." The fight at the MGM Grand arena settled into a familiar pattern from the third round on as Mayweather made adjustments and started landing some crisp right leads to Guerreros head. Guerrero was eager to trade punches, but often couldnt find Mayweather, who had already moved out of range. Before the fight there had been some concern about Mayweather having ring rust after going a year without a fight. But he didnt miss a beat, using his defensive skills to baffle Guerrero and keep him off balance. Mayweather was a 5-1 favourite coming into the fight, but Guerrero was considered dangerous coming off a big win over Andre Berto. Guerrero hadnt lost in eight years, and vowed to be the first to beat Mayweather, now 44-0. But he had never fought Mayweather, who got hit more than normal in his last fight against Miguel Cotto a year ago. "Honestly, Floyd could have danced the whole night," Floyd Mayweather Sr. said. "There wasnt anything he couldnt do in there tonight." Mayweather had crafted much of his career using his defence as his main weapon, and said he turned to his father -- who used to be his trainer -- to regain his old style. "After the Cotto fight I realized my defence wasnt what it should be and I had to hone my skills," Mayweather said. By the fifth round Mayweathers confidence was growing and he began landing some heavy right hands to Guerreros head. Guerrero kept plodding after him, but paid the price as Mayweather shot counter right hands through his defences Mayweather was faster and stronger than Guerrero, who was fighting for only the third time at 147 pounds. Mayweather said he hurt his right hand while going after the knockout in the eighth round, but still managed to control the fight round after round. Guerrero (31-2-1) was cut over his left eye in the eighth round, when Mayweather seemed on the verge of stopping him. Ringside punch stats showed Mayweather landing 60 per cent of his power punches, an unusually high rate. That included 23 of 30 power punches in the eighth round, when Guerrero was wobbled. All told, Mayweather was credited with landing 195 punches to 113 for Guerrero. "He ran like a chicken," said Guerreros trainer and father, Ruben. "I thought we were going to go toe-to-toe with him." Robert Guerrero didnt complain about Mayweathers style at all. Not when he wants to fight him again some day. "Im going to keep fighting and hopefully before Floyd Mayweather retires Im going to get that shot again," Guerrero said. Mayweather said he planned to fight again in September, a short turnaround for him, as part of a six-fight deal he has with the Showtime network. Kendrick Lewis Jersey . The Desert Foxes took part in the 2010 World Cup and failed to advance past the group stage, and the African side figures to have a tough time reaching the last 16 this time around as well. Belgiums last appearance on the big stage was the 2002 tournament when the team reached the second round before bowing out to eventual champions Brazil. Custom Houston Texans Jersey . They had already blown a double-digit lead, fans were hitting the exits, and a long seven-game road trip waited at the end.GUADALAJARA, Mexico -- Canadians Melanie McCann and Donna Vakalis take aim at the first Olympic berths on the line Saturday at the Pan American Games in an event that will take all day to decide. The gold medallist in the modern pentathlon -- a gruelling combination of fencing, swimming, equestrian riding, running and shooting -- books a place at the 2012 London Games on Day 1 of competition. "Ive been waiting for this event all year," McCann said. McCann, from Parkhill, Ont., and Vakalis, from Toronto, arrived with their teammates from a high-altitude camp in Colorado. Guadalajara sits almost 1,600 metres above sea level, and with Olympics on the line, they wanted to be well-armed for the thin air. "Because its a direct Olympic qualifier, all Pan American athletes, including ourselves, have been aiming at this and focusing on this for the last year," said Canadas modern pentathlon coach John Hawes. "Weve been competing in World Cups, etc., but this one is our chance to make the Olympics." Chris Pietruczuk of Kolobrzeg, Ont., and Joshua Riker-Fox of Delacour, Alta., will compete in the mens modern pentathlon on Sunday. Hawes believes any one of the four athletes has a chance at nabbing a gold medal and the Olympic berth that goes with it. "Pentathlon is the kind of event with so many things that happen in a day that can go right and wrong, that absolutely any one of our athlete could," the coach said. "Theyre all strong athletes." The Canadian pentathletes have another shot at maaking the Olympics, through points accumulated in World Cups, and the world championships. Johnathan Joseph Jersey. There are 11 medals on the line Saturday, including five in swimming, and the first weekend of the Games will crown champions in taekwondo, dressage, rhythmic gymnastics, shooting, and cycling. The mountain bike final for both men and women is Saturday, while the road time trial is Sunday. Canadian champion Max Plaxton of Victoria, is ranked No. 2 in the mountain bike, while Derek Zandstra of Trenton, Ont., is third. Mikaela Kofman of Toronto, the under-23 Canadian champion, and Amanda Sin of Collingwood, Ont., will go for gold in the womens race. The mountain bike course in Tapalpa, a 90-minute drive into the mountains south of Guadalajara, winds over rocky terrain and through some town streets. Guillaume Boivin of Longueuil, Que., Rob Britton of Regina, Joelle Numainville of Laval, Que., and Denis Ramsden of Hay River, N.W.T., will race for medals in the time trial. David Veilleux of Cap Rouge, Que., withdrew citing fatigue. In the pool, Hanna Pierse of Edmonton, the younger sister of world record-holder Annamay Pierse, will compete in the 400-metre individual medley. Canada will also be a favourite in the womens 400-metre freestyle relay. Canadas rhythmic gymnastics team begins what should be a strong four days of competition for a squad that has all but claimed an Olympic berth. The Canadians placed 17th at the recent world championships, putting the team in a favourable spot for a wildcard berth for London. ' ' ' |
