Floyd Mayweather is the undisputed king...

... his win against Manny Pacquiao wasn't magical but it was a masterclass from the best illusionist in Las Vegas

• Floyd Mayweather beat Manny Pacquiao on points at the MGM Grand

• It was chess in a boxing ring, and did not ignite the sport as was hoped

• David Copperfield performs at the MGM Grand, but Mayweather is probably the best illusionist in all of Las Vegas 

• He made up to $200million disappear into his bank account by putting on a show in which he expended the necessary minimum of effort

Floyd Mayweather will stand taller than Manny Pacquiao not only in the ring but in the pantheon of boxing’s all-time greats.

Yet the fight which put beyond all argument that he is the finest boxer of his generation will not rank even close to the epic encounters of the prize-ring’s golden age.

None other than Sugar Ray Leonard himself was among the many hoping that the Money Man versus the PacMan would put the fight game back atop the glorious pedestal once occupied by himself, Tommy Hearns, Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran.

No such luck.

 Floyd Mayweather beat Manny Pacquaio in the Fight of the Century, but it did not live up to expectations

 Mayweather poses with his welterweight belts - the one he was awarded for this latest victory is worth $1m

 The Money Man is the best illusionist in Las Vegas - he made up to $200m disappear into his bank account

Mayweather expended only the necessary amount of effort to brush Pacquaio aside at the MGM Grand


Here was an admirable example of an intelligent, orderly disciplined exposition of the noble art of self defence.

Yet as a Saturday night out at the theatre it was neither dramatic nor exciting.

This was chess in a boxing ring, which caught the intellect without entertaining the audience. It was not, as had been hoped, the fight to ignite the sport.

It was sufficient for Mayweather to preserve his cherished unbeaten record, now 48-0, after adding Pacquiao’s WBO welterweight belt to the WBC and WBA titles he already owned. But through no real fault of his own it does not put the final seal on his claim to be The Best Ever.

Just as the fight did not compare with those of yore, the manner of the victory holds him back from the company of such as Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Joe Louis.

What had been sold so hysterically as some kind of cross between the Second Coming and the greatest event in the history of the universe materialised into what Mayweather always said it would be: ‘Just another fight.’

 The fight had been sold by some as the greatest event in the history of the universe, but it was far from that

 The stars turned out in force - pictured are Beyonce and Jay-Z - but many left Las Vegas disappointed

A fairly good fight, yes. But nothing that special.

In part this was because because Pacquiao did not oblige Mayweather.

The principal hope that this event might live up to the hype, the heat of the media and the high expectations was that Pacquiao would force Mayweather into a pitched battle.

When he failed to do so he lost the attention of not only much of the crowd but the judges.

There was revelation after the defeat of a shoulder injury which almost persuaded Pacquiao to seek a postponement. Evidently, the financial cost of that did not bear thinking about.

And perhaps his right hand was hampered to some extent. But although the speed still blurred the eye, the boundless energy and non-stop combinations were less in evidence than usual.

 Pacquaio claimed that he was hampered by a shoulder injury, but Mayweather brushed the excuse off

 Mayweather said 'We all carry injuries. I had both hands injured tonight' in response to Pacquaio's injury claim


Not that I agree with the margins by which the officials garlanded Mayweather with his latest victory.

The judge who called it 118-110 was as out of kilter as many Mayweather admirers think I was in scoring it a draw.

Even the other two officials at 116-112 were ungenerous to Pacquiao. But in a fight with so many close rounds the assessment frequently comes down to a preference for a style. And never discount that this is Mayweather fighting at home, in the city to which, on nights like this, he is worth a fortune bigger than his own.

In my view Pacquiao’s aggression kept him on level terms when weighed against Mayweather’s running, holding and sporadic accuracy.

The impression of Mayweather domination was reinforced by television commentary but there were others at ringside who went further than myself by marking Pacquiao the winner.

 The judges voted in favour of Mayweather (left) but Jeff Powell and others did not think it was a domination

 After the fight, Pacquaio genuinely believed he had won, but the judges voted heavily in favour of Mayweather


In truth, when the rounds are this close there is not much arguing with a narrow win either way, or a good old score draw. The punch statistics, by the way, which hardly acknowledged a PacMan blow of any significance, were laughable.

For what it’s worth, Pacquiao honestly believed he won. Where Mayweather definitely outscored the idol of the Philippines was with this retort to the shoulder injury claim: ‘We all carry injuries. I had both hands injured tonight. But if he’d won I would just have congratulated him and told him that he was the better man on the night.’ Ouch. This is a hard old game and that one hurt.

What we do know for certain is that not even Mayweather The Magician will be able to conjure up another half a billion dollars for a rematch.,

As one night stands go this was anything but sexy and few in Sin City or out there in pay-per-view country would want to watch it again.

The buzz which 16,507 fans had brought in with them from the over-flowing Strip evaporated in the Grand Garden.

 Many were left underwhelmed and told fans outside that it wasn't worth the exorbitant money some had paid

 Sportsmail's Jeff Powell admits the overall experience of being at the fight was greater than the actual event


As they filed back out they told the thousands left outside, the many who could not afford the exorbitant tickets but just wanted to be around on the big night, that it wasn’t worth the money — anything from $1,750 to $350,000 a seat.

For most of us, the overall experience has been greater than the actual event.

With Pacquiao misfiring at times and as a consequence Mayweather more comfortable in there than he might have anticipated, they pretty much cancelled each other out. That can happen when two excellent practitioners meet in the ring and on this occasion the flashes of genius were intermittent.

Pacquiao will regret keeping something in reserve on the defining night of his career. The animated Filipinos present were still lionising him later but neither the result or the performance will have boosted his eventual campaign to become president of his country.

Muhammed Ali reminded Mayweather last week that the title of 'The Greatest' is already taken

 Mayweather had insisted that wants to retire with a 49-0 record... but he will perhaps make it to the big 50


Mayweather, criticised as he is for his spending extravagance and domestic conduct outside the ring, has simpler choices to make.

Money, and plenty of it, is the primary objective. He also craves to be recognised as The Greatest, although Muhammad Ali reminded him last week that that the title is taken.

The one last fight, back here in September, will not take care of either ambition.

There will not be a financial bonanza to approach this Fight of the Century, whoever the opponent.

But assuming he wins, he will draw level with Rocky Marciano, who retired undefeated with a 49-0 record.

 Huge crowds gathered in the Philippines to watch the fight, but they were left disappointed after the fight

Their 'People's Champion', a potential future president of the country, was defeated by Mayweather in Vegas

Why wouldn’t he want to go again just once more and force open those doors to the Halls of Valhallah where the immortal fighters reside?

‘No, it’s time to hang up the gloves,’ he insists. Then he says: ‘But I do contradict myself. I’m not perfect.’

That last sentence referred to his life — not his boxing — and he clarified that by adding: ‘I do not give account to all the bad things that are said and written about me. For one thing I’m a good father to my four kids and I try to do my best in all things.’

No, the contradiction refers to the historic Marciano record and he adds: ‘I didn’t come into this game to try to overtake what other great boxers before have achieved. I just wanted to be me. But who knows if I do get to 49-0…….’

Floyd baby knows but he’s just not telling us.

Not just yet.

By JEFF POWELL FOR THE DAILY MAIL

Topless Femen activists disrupt right-wing May Day speech in Paris

 Security remove three topless activists from the Ukrainian feminist group Femen from a balcony as they give the Nazi salute to protest the gathering by France's far-right National Front political party leader Marine Le Pen (not pictured) at the party's traditional May Day tribute to Joan of Arc in Paris, France, May 1, 2015. (REUTERS/Benoit Tessier)

 France's far-right National Front political party leader Marine Le Pen waves to the crowd of supporters at the end of her speech during their traditional May Day tribute to Joan of Arc in Paris, France REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

 Three topless activists from the Ukrainian feminist group Femen from a balcony as they give the Nazi salute to protest the gathering by France's far-right National Front political party leader Marine Le Pen   REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

Three topless activists from the Ukrainian feminist group Femen from a balcony as they give the Nazi salute to protest the gathering by France's far-right National Front political party leader Marine Le Pen   REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

PARIS  - A French court acquitted nine women from protest group Femen on Wednesday over a topless protest last year inside Paris's Notre Dame cathedral, a Catholic cathedral visited by millions of tourists and religious devotees every year.

The feminist activists mixed with hordes of queuing visitors to enter the 12th century church unspotted in 2013 - one day after Pope Benedict resigned - before bearing torsos painted with slogans such as "Pope No More" and "Get lost, homophobe".

"We are extremely happy with the decision," said Michael Ghnassia, a Femen defense lawyer who announced the verdict.  

The only convictions the court handed down, he said, were suspended fines imposed on three members of the Notre Dame security staff.  

The Femen women, some of whom were smacked in the face by angry Catholics before security staff bundled them out of the church, had been pursued on the grounds that they degraded a place of worship in a protest during which they tapped on the cathedral's bells with wooden sticks.

The protest, just after Pope Benedict resigned on Feb. 11 2013, was staged during a period of sometimes violent street demonstrations over a law that has legalized same-sex marriage in France, a secular republic but predominantly Catholic. 

 Notre Dame, straddling an island in the middle of the Seine river in the heart of Paris, was being fitted with new giant bells at the time to celebrate its 850th anniversary.  

Months after the Femen incursion, tourists fled Notre Dame in panic last May after a 78-year-old opponent of gay marriage committed suicide at the altar, shooting himself in the mouth, three days after the law on same-sex marriage was adopted.  

Since it was founded in Kiev in 2008, the Femen movement has won notoriety in Europe for its stands - usually topless -- against sex tourism, homophobia and religious institutions.  

Ahead of Wednesday's ruling, the group had warned on its Facebook page that a ruling against them would do nothing to blunt their activity.  

The Sept. 8 page entry said: "Are we gonna be condemned for blasphemy? Let's hope not otherwise we will have to invade all the catholic places with our sacred boobs!"  

U.S President Bill Clinton on the first leg of his tour of The Clinton Foundation projects in Africa

Hoopoe Safaris East Africa in Northern Tanzania with Former U.S President Bill Clinton on the first leg of his tour of The Clinton Foundation projects in Africa, with Hoopoe Safaris' Peter Lindstrom, Stephen Laiser and Rupert Finch Hatton. Rupert Finch Hatton and Peter Lindstrom are guides to the President and his guests on a classic African Safari in Tanzania.

 On April 30, President Clinton visited the Solar Sister program site in Karatu town, Tanzania. Solar Sister is part of Sustainable Energy Solutions Powered by Women’s Enterprise, a Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action. Solar Sister connects women in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria to training opportunities, and micro-financing groups to increase savings and investment. To date the Solar Sisters have trained 500 entrepreneurs, 300 of which were in Tanzania and as a result have 250,000 beneficiaries globally and for the commitment.

 On April 30, President Clinton visited the Solar Sister program site in Karatu town, Tanzania. Solar Sister is part of Sustainable Energy Solutions Powered by Women’s Enterprise, a Clinton Global Initiativel Commitment to Action. Solar Sister connects women in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria to training opportunities, and micro-financing groups to increase savings and investment.

 On April 30, President Clinton visited the Nainokanoka Dispensary in Ngorongoro, Tanzania where he was greeted by health care workers and local villagers. The Clinton Health Access Initiative's work has made pneumonia and rotavirus vaccines more affordable and ensured optimal vaccine delivery to children in Ngorongoro.

 On April 30, President Clinton visited the Nainokanoka Dispensary in Ngorongoro, Tanzania. At the Dispensary, he was greeted by health care workers who are able to deliver effective pneumonia and rotavirus vaccines to children due to proper cold chain and storage systems implemented by the Clinton Health Access Initiative.

On April 30, President Clinton visited the Nainokanoka Dispensary in Ngorongoro, Tanzania. The Clinton Health Access Initiative is implementing programs to transport pneumonia and rotavirus vaccines to children in remote areas such as Ngorongoro.

Photo credit: Max W. Orenstein / Clinton Foundation — in Tanzania.

RAIS MSTAAFU WA MAREKANI BILL CLINTON AKUTANA NA RAIS JAKAYA MRISHO KIKWETE, JIJINI DAR ES SALAAM APRIL 28, 2015.

Rais Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete akifanya mazungumzo na Rais Mstaafu wa Marekani Mhe Bill Clinton Ikulu jijini Dar es salaam leo April 28, 2015.rais huyo wa 42 wa Marekani yuko nchini  kukagua miradi ya maendeleo na afya inayofadhiriwa na taasisi za Clinto Development Initiative (CDI) na Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).

Rais Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete akimkaribisha Rais Mstaafu wa Marekani Mhe Bill Clinton Ikulu jijini Dar es salaam leo April 28, 2015.na kisha kufanya mazungumzo na rais huyo wa 42 wa Marekani yuko nchini  kukagua miradi ya maendeleo na afya inayofadhiriwa na taasisi za Clinto Development Initiative (CDI) na Clinto Health Access Initiative (CHAI).

PICHA NA IKULU

Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta insists results are all that matter after unconvincing display against Aston Villa

• Manchester City edged Aston Villa 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday 

• Villa had pegged City back to 2-2, having been two goals down 

• But substitute Fernandinho scored the winner late on to spare City's blushes and keep them on track to qualify for the Champions League 

• With the stakes so high, City defender Pablo Zabaleta has insisted that getting positive results are all that matter to the club right now

Pablo Zabaleta claimed victory was all that mattered as Manchester City moved closer to securing a Champions League spot with a last-gasp win over Aston Villa.  

Substitute Fernandinho struck in the 89th minute as unconvincing City claimed three Barclays Premier League points in a frantic finish at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.  

Villa had fought back from 2-0 down to level at 2-2 with an 85th-minute equaliser from Carlos Sanchez.

 Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta insists that the club are only focused on getting positive results

 Aston Villa winger Charles N'Zogbia (right) prepares to take on Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala

City forward Sergio Aguero dribbles with the ball ahead of Villa's Leandro Bacuna (left) on Saturday

It seemed the least the FA Cup finalists, battling against relegation, deserved but City, who have unexpectedly been dragged into a fight for a top-four place, had the final word.  

Zabaleta said: 'It was not our best game, we didn't play our best.  'But we must recognise when you win games playing badly it is always good, especially at this moment when all we need is three points and to keep winning games to secure the Champions League spot.  

'Football sometimes is like that. Against Crystal Palace we played really well and we lost. This was not our best game and we won.'

City were handed the perfect start when Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan miskicked in the third minute and presented Sergio Aguero with a tap-in for his 27th goal of the season.  

Villa recovered and controlled large spells of the game but their hopes seemed over when Aleksandar Kolarov curled a free-kick through a gap in the wall after 66 minutes.  

But Tom Cleverley pulled one back and Sanchez looked to have earned a point until Fernandinho controlled on his chest and lashed in from a late corner.  

Fernandinho said: 'It was my third goal (of the season) - a beautiful goal, maybe my most beautiful of the season.  

'But the most important thing for me was the winning goal. I am so happy about that.  

'We talk a lot that we fight to the end - fans, players, all involved in the club.We never give up. When you dress in the City shirt, you need to keep that in your head. That is what happened.'  

With Liverpool, Tottenham and Southampton all drawing, the result strengthened City's grip on a top-four place and therefore eased some of the pressure that has built in recent weeks.  

Nevertheless, they were still troubled by Villa and the outcome might have been different had a controversial decision gone in the visitors' favour late on.

 Aston Villa midfielder Tom Cleverley (right) lashes in from long-range during the 3-2 defeat to City

Zabaleta (left) slides in with a strong challenge on Villa midfielder Kieran Richardson (right) on Saturday  

At 2-2, Christian Benteke was tripped by City goalkeeper Joe Hart for what could have been a penalty and a sending-off, had the offside flag not already been raised. Replays suggested the Belgian might just have been onside.  

With just four games remaining Villa are only two points above the bottom three - and three of the sides below them have a game in hand - but manager Tim Sherwood saw plenty of reason for encouragement.  

He said: 'If we play like that we will be okay. I think we played well and certainly deserved something. 

 'We are not afraid to get on the ball and we showed bravery in all areas. We got on it and moved it around. 

 'We are bitterly disappointed but take a lot of positives from the performance.'

 Villa's Carlos Sanchez scores their second goal against City to bring the scoreline to 2-2 on Saturday

 Villa striker Christian Benteke (left) controls the ball ahead of Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis (right)

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini faces huge pressure to get the best out of his star-studded squad

WAZIRI MKUU MSTAAFU MHE LOWASSA KATIKA MKESHA WA SHEREHE ZA MIAKA 51 YA MUUNGANO MJINI DUBAI

Waziri mkuu wa zamani na mbunge wa Monduli Mh Edward Lowassa akitoa salamu zake kwenye sherehe za miaka 51 ya muungano ambazo ziliandaliwa na jumuiya ya watanzania wanaoishi katika Falme za kiarabu (UAE) .Sherehe hizo zimefanyika leo Jumamosi ya mkesha wa kuamkia tarehe 26 siku ya muungano, katika hoteli ya Shangrila mjini Dubai

Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea: Organized Blues defending effectively ends title race

• Chelsea had three appeals for penalties turned down in first half 

• Cesc Fabregas was wrongly booked for diving, but no penalty was right 

• Oscar should have been given a penalty for foul by David Ospina

The 'campaign' continues against Chelsea when it comes to penalties – although in a first half with four penalty appeals it was clear that referee, Michael Oliver was only going to award what he felt was a stonewall spot kick and there was only one of those.  

The Blues had a good shout for an early penalty when Oscar was clipped by Bellerin but I agreed with Oliver that the contact was accidental and minimal - a penalty would have been very harsh.  

Oliver was more decisive when Cesc Fabregas went to ground after feeling contact from Santi Cazorla. The fall was exaggerated and theatrical and that might have influenced Oliver as he cautioned the Spaniard for simulation.

Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea and Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal battle for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on April 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

 GWP-4. London (United Kingdom), 26/04/2015.- Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho reacts during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at The Emirates Stadium, in London, Britain, 26 April 2015. Chelsea move closer to Premier League title with goalless draw against Arsenal.

 David Ospina of Arsenal and Oscar of Chelsea collide during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on April 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

GWP-4. London (United Kingdom), 26/04/2015.- Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic (L) and Didier Drogba celebrate at the end of the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at The Emirates Stadium, in London, Britain, 26 April 2015. Chelsea move closer to Premier League title with goalless draw against Arsenal. 

 Chelsea should have had a penalty when Brazilian forward Oscar nicked the ball past David Ospina

 The Arsenal goalkeeper clattered Oscar, who was left with a possible concussion and replaced at half time 

Replays proved that to be incorrect as they showed slight contact on Fabregas' knee - perhaps not enough for a penalty but certainly enough contact to make the caution incorrect.  

Arsenal had an appeal of their own when the ball span up and caught Gary Cahill on the arm but again I thought Oliver was right as Cahill was very close to the Arsenal player and his arm was not in an unnatural position.  

There was only one clear penalty for me when Oscar was played clean through on goal and lobbed David Ospina the Arsenal keeper clearly wiped Oscar out and Oliver should have given them a penalty.   

Oliver may well have been waiting to see if Oscar's lob went in the goal but once it was cleared he should have gone back, awards the penalty and cautioned Ospina.

 Oscar had gone down earlier in the half under the slightest of contact from Hector Bellerin

 Cesc Fabregas was booked after appearing to kick his leg out to find contact from Santi Cazorla

 Replays showed that there was some contact on Fabregas, and therefore the booking for diving was harsh

Santi Cazorla's shot hit Gary Cahill's arm, but the Chelsea man was too close to have deliberately handled

RAIS MSTAAFU ALI HASSAN MWINYI AWASHUKURU MABALOZI WA HESHIMA KWA KUIPENDA NA KUITANGAZATANZANIA NCHINI MAREKANI

Rais mstaafu Ali Hassan Mwinyi na mkewe mama Sitti Mwinyi akimsikiliza Balozi wa Tanzania nchini Marekani anyoamtambulisha mbele ya mabalozi wa heshima na kwamba yeye Rais mstaafu ndiye aliyefanya mageuzi ya mfumo wa uchumi Tanzania tunaoendelea nao hivi sasa.

 Rais mstaafu awamu ya pili Ali Hassan Mwinyi akiingia chumba cha mkutano cha Nyerere ndani ya mjengo wa Ubalozi Washington, DC siku ya Ijumaa April 24, 2015 kulikokua na kikao cha Mabalozi wa heshima kilichoandaliwa na Ubalozi wa Tanzania nchini Marekani chini ya Balozi Liberata Mulamula kwa ajili kuongelea maswala mbalimbali zikiwemo changamoto za utalii na uwekezaji nchini Tanzania na jinsi gani ya kukabiliana nazo, mbali na Mabalozi hao wa heshima na marafiki zao wengine waliohudhuruia kikao hicho ambacho kilikua sehemu ya maadhimisho ya miaka 51 ya Muungano ni wawakilishi wa Taasisi za Diaspora za Kitanzania zinazopigana kusaidia maswala ya uwekezaji na Utalii kwa nchi yao Tanzania. Rais Mstaafu Ali Hassan Mwinyi pia aliongozana na mkewe Mama Sitti Mwinyi.

 Rais mstaafu Ali Hassan Mwinyi na mwenyeji wake Balozi wa Tanzania nchini Marekani Mhe. Liberata Mulamula wakiwemo Mabalozi wa heshima wakisimama kwa ajili ya nyimbo za Taifa za Tanzania na Marekani.

 Mhe. Liberata Mulamula Balozi wa Tanzania nchini Marekani akimtambulisha Rais mstaafu Ali Hassan Mwinyi kwa Mabalozi wa heshima wakiwemo viongozi wa  taasisi mbalimbali za Kimarekani zinazotangaza utalii wa Tanzania nchini Marekani na baadae kumkaribisha kuongea nao.

 Rais mstaafu Ali Hassan Mwinyi akiongea na Mabalozi wa Heshima kuwashukuru kwa kuipenda na kuitangazaTanzania nchini Marekani na kuwaasa wasichoke kwa wao wamekua chachu ya maendeleo ya nchi aipendayo Tanzania.

 Mbalozi wa heshima wakiwemo viongozi wa taasisi zinazotangaza Utalii na uwekezaji Tanzania wakimsuikiliza Rais mstaafu Ali Hassan Mwinyi.

 Picha ya pamoja.

 Mayor De  Andre Windom wa mji wa Highland Park jimbo la Michigan akipata picha na Rais mstaafu Ali Hassan Mwinyi

Balozi wa Tanzania nchini Marekani akimuaga Rais mstaafu Ali Hassan Mwinyi na mkewe mama Sitti Mwinyi wakati walipokua waiondoka baada ya Rais mstaafu Ali Hassan Mwinyi kumaliza kufunga kikao cha Mabalozi wa Heshima Ubalozini hapo. Picha zote na Vijimambo, Kwanza Production.