It was almost a shutout.

Wearing pink boxing gloves and pink-trimmed ostrich skin trunks, "Pretty Boy" Floyd Mayweather coasted to an easy unanimous decision victory over game but outclassed Carlos Baldomir last night at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Mayweather, 37-0 (24), whose ostentatious entrance included being carried into the ring while dressed as a gladiator, played the part of the matador, using his superior footwork to avoid the bullish, oncharging Baldomir. Mayweather scored with body shots and his quick left jab, but most often used a right hand lead until he hurt the hand in the middle rounds. Baldomir's frustration was palpable as Mayweather weaved underneath his wild hooks and right hands, peppering him with short combinations and proving too quick and elusive. Two judges scored it 120-108, while the other had it 118-110. I had it 120-108 for Mayweather, although the 12th round could have easily gone to Baldomir, as Mayweather, assured of the victory, got on his bicycle. One has to feel sympathy for Baldomir, 43-10-6 (13), who tried his best and who couldn't hide his discouragement in losing round after round to his elite opponent.

An interesting occurence happened during the post-fight interview when HBO's Larry Merchant got a tongue-lashing from Mayweather after criticizing his performance and asking the champion if he felt the fans were entertained. Mayweather, no doubt encouraged by his friend Roy Jones, went on the offensive - arguably for the first time all night - telling Merchant to stick to commentaing because he doesn't know anything about boxing. Although Mayweather could use lessons in improving his image, he has a point.

During the telecast, the HBO crew complimented Mayweather on the ease with which he handled his opponent. As the fight wore on, however, and sensing the anticlimactic tone of the bout, Emanuel Steward and Merchant turned on Mayweather, criticizing him for comparing himself with Ray Robinson, and saying that Tommy Hearns or Ray Leonard would never be satisfied with a points win. Mayweather fought the perfect fight, yet the HBO crew wanted to have their cake and eat it too. If Floyd Mayweather was a power-puncher, he wouldn't be Floyd Mayweather. You can't have it both ways.

And yet the HBO guys have a point, too. As spectacular as Mayweather's win was, something was missing. He doesn't quite have the flash of a Pernell Whitaker, or the power of a Shane Mosley, even if, arguably, he is superior to those fighters. If Mayweather would have stopped Baldomir it would have shut up all of his critics, but what more can we expect of the guy? Boxing is about hitting and not getting hit, and Mayweather knows that game like the back of his hand.

Maybe Mayweather-De La Hoya in May of 2007 at 154 lbs will be more challenging. Maybe not. But we can't blame Floyd Mayweather for doing what he was expected to do all along.