Mayweather: retiring?

I've done what I had to do in the sport. I've accomplished what I came to accomplish, now is time for me to be a promoter.

Floyd Mayweather
Quotes of the week

Also see

• Hatton's dream in tatters
• Round-by-round report

Floyd Mayweather hinted at retiring - again - after beating Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas.

The Pretty Boy retained his WBC welterweight title with a chilling 10th-round knockout in front of a packed MGM Grand Arena.

It means he now stands alone as the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet and has an unblemished 39-0 slate including world titles at five different weights.

But while Hatton, who was beaten for the first time in 44 pro bouts, has promised to box on, Mayweather looks likely to hang up his gloves again.

He did the same back in 2006 only to be tempted back into the ring by Oscar de la Hoya, but with Miguel Cotto perhaps the only worthy name left on his radar, may yet remain true to his word this time around.

"I've done what I had to do in the sport," he told Sky Box Office.

"I've accomplished what I came to accomplish, now is the time for me to be a promoter.

"I won't let the sport of boxing retire me I'll retire from the boxing. I always wanted to go to the UK to fight and since I couldn't do that you brought the best of the UK - Ricky the Hitman - to me.

"I have nothing else to prove."

But as ever, Mayweather then had everyone guessing by reminding any would-be challengers that he is back to his best.

Booed by the same Vegas crowd in his stroll against Carlos Baldomir and doubted even after taking out Oscar de la Hoya, he was a man on a mission - and still might be.

"I wanted to show the fans that I could still punch with power," he said. "I've still got these exciting fights left in me.

"A couple of fights ago I gave the fans a couple of dull fights but I've still got the spark left."

Mayweather cut a contrasting figure to the brooding and snarling bad boy that had helped build this fight into the biggest of the decade.

Arm around HBO interviewer Larry Merchant, he showed his class in victory and was full of praise for Hatton and his fans - who behaved impeccably all night and even gave the champion an ovation.

"Ricky Hatton is one tough fighter," said Mayweather. "He is still a champion in my eyes and I'd love to see him fight again.

"Ricky Hatton is probably one of toughest competitors I've faced. I hit him with some big ones but he kept coming and I can see why they call him the 'Hitman'."

"I took my time. I fought on the inside, fought on the outside. That was my game plan. A true champion can adapt to anything."