Floyd Mayweather enters the ring for his exhibition boxing match against Logan Paul. Photo / Getty Images
OPINION:
Although there were no winners in Miami this morning, boxing pundits have agreed there was one big loser.
The blockbuster bout between Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul went the distance on Monday morning AEST, with both fighters surviving eight rounds in the exhibition fight.
Fans were left fuming by the lacklustre affair in Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, with the crowd echoing chants of "boo" around the venue.
But Mayweather and Paul won't care in the slightest — they walked away with combined earnings of AU$151 million.
Because there were no judges ringside to score the contest, only a knockout or TKO would result in a victory for the undefeated boxer or YouTube star.
Mayweather is one of the most successful athletes in history with a 50-0 career record and 27 KO finishes, so why couldn't he topple a YouTuber who has never registered a professional victory?
For the rest of his life, Paul can boast he held his own against one of the sport's greatest athletes.
Mayweather leaves with a big paycheque and a tainted reputation.
The American summed it up perfectly after the fight: "When the money comes, we'll see who's the real winner."
ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani said: "If you ask me, he (Mayweather) lost.
"You're one of the greatest ever. Play around for a couple rounds and then pour it on. He didn't. He let Logan hang around. Paul surviving is a win for him. He'll claim victory."
Former UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier tweeted: "Hats off to Logan Paul. He went 8 rounds with greatest boxer ever. Not a good look for Floyd."
Boxing writer Josh Katzowitz posted: "Well, Logan survives. And he's the big winner tonight. He can say he fought the best fighter of the last 50 yrs and didn't get knocked down. Hell, he can say he won since there was no scoring. I don't think Mayweather's rep is tarnished or anything, but it didn't end well for him."
Jake Paul certainly believed his brother had emerged the winner, screaming "50-1" throughout the final round in Miami.
After the fight, Mayweather reminded fans he isn't the spring chicken he used to be.
"You gotta realise, I'm not 21 anymore," Mayweather said.
"But it's good, to move around with these young guys, test my skills, just to have some fun.
"Great young fighter, strong, tough, he's better than I thought he was.
"He's a tough, rough competitor.
"I was surprised by him tonight. Oh yes, I had fun."
However, the 44-year-old offered a blunt response when asked whether the fight had damaged his legacy: "At the end of the day, I'm going into the Hall of Fame for boxing. I have nothing to prove."
When it comes to the official numbers, they certainly don't paint a pretty picture — for anyone.
Paul landed seven of 73 jabs (10 per cent) and 21 of his 144 power strikes (15 per cent), and in total connected only a worrying 28 times from 217 attempts (13 per cent).
As for "Money" Mayweather, he threw significantly less punches but with more accuracy. He's never been the most active fighter in the spot, preferring to dance his way around opponents rather than bulldoze his way through them, and it was more of the same against the YouTube sensation.
Mayweather only threw 14 jabs and tagged Paul with seven of them (50 per cent) along with 36 power strikes from 93 thrown (39 per cent), connecting with only 43 punches from 107 (40 per cent).
They were hardly inspiring numbers.
Full card for Mayweather-Paul
Floyd Mayweather vs Logan Paul — no winner declared after eight round exhibition
Badou Jack defeated Dervin Colina via TKO, Round 4
Luis Arias defeated Jarrett Hurd via split decision (94-95, 96-93, 97-93)
Chad Johnson vs Brian Maxwell — no winner declared after four round exhibition
The Sport Integrity Commission has sought advice from Interpol on organised crime.