Floyd Mayweather Jr. says he’ll soon relinquish his title belts

Floyd Mayweather Jr. said after defeating Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night that he’ll soon relinquish his five world-title belts to let younger fighters pursue them.

“I’m not greedy,” said Mayweather, who added that he plans to retire after his September bout on Showtime pay-per-view.

The 38-year-old Mayweather (48-0) outpunched Pacquiao, landing 148 punches to 81, and outjabbed the Filipino, 67-18, to claim the showdown between boxing’s top two pound-for-pound fighters.

Read the Los Angeles Times’ special edition Flipboard digital magazine Mayweather vs. Pacquiao

FULL COVERAGE: Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeats Manny Pacquiao

After the bout, Mayweather collected a sports record $100-million check for his night’s work, with likely $100-million-plus more coming once pay-per-view profits are divided.

“For years, you said I was scared [of Pacquiao] -- all you guys said this,” Mayweather told reporters in his post-fight news conference. “All of you guys write your stories.… Tomorrow, after all those bad stories, I’m going to wake up early in the morning and see what you all wrote. … I turned all the nonbelievers into believers.”

Mayweather wasn’t ready to discuss who he’d like to close his career against.

“I just beat Manny Pacquiao. Can I enjoy my victory? Please?” he said.

But he did say he would rid himself of the belts, including the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Assn. and World Boxing Organization welterweight belts he retained or claimed Saturday.

“I’ve made a decision to relinquish all those belts,” Mayweather said. “Other fighters need a chance. Give them chances. It’s time for other fighters to have chances at belts.”

There’s been speculation that Mayweather’s manager, Al Haymon, with his new Premier Boxing Champions circuit, will eventually create his own belts and avoid sanctioning-body fees.

As for defeating Pacquiao, Mayweather said, “I knew it was going to be tough.

“His footwork and my footwork are totally different. I used the check hook, the jab when he’d get close, my defense, I’d tie him up.

“Roughhouse, take him back to the center of the ring. Box, combo, just be smart. I had a 72-inch reach to his 67 … take as little punishment as possible. Other fighters got baited into engaging toe to toe with him and that’s what he wanted.”

MORE

Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeats Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision

Vasyl Lomachenko defeats Gamalier Rodriguez in featherweight bout

Bill Dwyre: Floyd Mayweather Jr. is right on the money in beating Manny Pacquiao

Twitter: @latimespugmire