Boxing: Mayweather brushes off fans' boos, says the sport no longer gets his passion

LAS VEGAS (AFP) - For all that Floyd Mayweather says it is not in his make-up to lose, there is one fight he just cannot seem to win.

He burnished his perfect ring record with a 12-round unanimous decision over Manny Pacquiao on Saturday, only to depart the MGM Grand Garden Arena to a chorus of jeers.

But in the crowning moment of his career, the 38-year-old champion was defiant in the face of the evidence that his undeniable skills have not earned him a place in the hearts of boxing fans of greats like Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson and Sugar Ray Leonard.

His impressive resume lacks the kind of wars that make the greatest ring theatre: Ali versus Joe Frazier, Marvin Hagler versus Thomas Hearns.

Perhaps it is no wonder Mayweather sounded tired of it all.

"At one particular time, I loved the sport of boxing. I wanted to go to every fight. But I've just lost the love of the sport.

"My love and my passion for boxing is not the same, like it once was, but this is my job, to go out there and be at my best when doing my job."

He insists that breaking Rocky Marciano's 49-0 record is not a goal for him.

He does not mind looking ahead - to the time when the sport he took up as a toddler is behind him."

"I don't think I'll miss the sport of boxing," said Mayweather, who will no doubt remain involved thanks to his Mayweather Promotions company and young fighters who train at his Las Vegas gym.

"I don't watch boxing any more, unless it's someone coming to my gym."

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