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Mayweather shows no rust

Floyd Mayweather Jr., coming off a year’s layoff, scores an easy, unanimous welterweight title victory over Robert Guerrero.

LAS VEGAS - Floyd Mayweather Jr. fought as if he had never left the ring, coming back from a year's absence Saturday night to win a unanimous, 12-round decision over Robert Guerrero in their welterweight title fight.

Mayweather was masterful at times, landing thudding right hands and bloodying Guerrero's face in a performance that mimicked some of his best fights. Mayweather (44-0) hurt Guerrero (31-2-1) on several occasions, including a series of right hands near the end of the eighth round that buckled Guerrero's knees.

All three judges scored the bout 117-111.

"We did it again," Mayweather said after earning at least $32 million for his night's work. "I take my hat off to Robert Guerrero. He's a true warrior."

Mayweather remained unbeaten in 44 fights, while handing Guerrero only his second loss as a pro.

Mayweather was booed at times for not mixing it up more, but he didn't 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. "He's a great fighter. He's 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 Guerrero's head. Guerrero was eager to trade punches, but often couldn't 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 didn't miss a beat, using his defensive skills to baffle Guerrero and keep him off balance.

For the first time in 13 years, Floyd Mayweather Sr. was in his son's corner.

"I needed my father tonight," Mayweather said. "My defense was on point and he told me to stick with my defense and that the less you get hit the longer you last."

Ringside punch stats showed Mayweather landing 60 percent of his power punches, an unusually high rate. All told, Mayweather was credited with landing 195 punches to 113 for Guerrero.

"Honestly, Floyd could have danced the whole night,'' Mayweather Sr. said. "There wasn't anything he couldn't do in there tonight."