Unbeaten Mayweather too strong for Alvarez

Floyd Mayweather claimed the WBC light middleweight and WBA super world light middleweight titles on Saturday night, producing a dominant display to get past Saul Alvarez on a 12-round majority decision in Las Vegas.

Mayweather, 36, bossed proceedings against the Mexican 13 years his junior, and claimed a convincing victory - despite one judge scoring the unification bout even - to extend his unbeaten professional record to 45 fights.

The highly rated 23-year-old headed into the bout having built his own unbeaten record and was regarded by many as the biggest threat yet to Mayweather.

But the American always looked in control, his fast hands doing enough to edge most rounds however much Alvarez tried to stride forward.

It was clear from the early stages that the action would not live up to the hype as Mayweather, who earned a base purse of US$41.5m, made Alvarez dance to his tune throughout.

The Michigan man made the more lively start, landing a few useful right hooks in round one as Alvarez came to terms with his surroundings.

The American continued plugging away, with Alvarez producing a couple of body-blows of his own but seeming unsteady on his feet as he tried to apply some positivity in round two.

Alvarez gave Mayweather something to think about in round three with a left hook, Mayweather looking a tad wary of his young Mexican opponent.

The Guadalajara-born fighter's eyes were beginning to look puffy by round four, though, as Mayweather's flurry of jabs showed no signs of abating.

Alvarez's neat combinations were having no effect, with Mayweather able to withstand whatever was thrown at him without too much difficulty.

A right uppercut from Mayweather in the seventh had Alvarez in trouble temporarily but the 23-year-old recovered well.

Alvarez, spurred by a large Mexican contingent at MGM Grand, backed the American on to the ropes in round eight but was not landing any significant blows, with Mayweather's snappy and consistent jabs ensuring he continued to score better.

A sturdy right hand in round 10 helped the Alvarez cause, but he needed something big.

All he could muster in the penultimate round was a wild right hand which connected only with the ropes - much to Mayweather's amusement.

The American duly saw out the remainder of the bout with the minimum fuss.