LAS VEGAS â€"  Though the scores of the judges may not have reflected it, Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. survived what might have been the hardest test of his career Saturday night, winning a unanimous decision over Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Two judges scored the back-and-forth contest 117-111 and the third had it 118-110.

However, many spectators saw it as much closer and some even gave Cotto the edge. The crowd loved Cotto's work and seemed to explode every time Cotto landed a punch.

Cotto, who was defending his World Boxing Association super-welterweight title, stalked Mayweather most of the night, often keeping his undefeated rival on the ropes and throwing right and left hooks to Mayweather's body.

The Puerto Rican icon had hordes of fans at the sold-out arena, but for all the pressure he applied, Cotto was not able to connect with his signature left hook with any regularity.

Click here for more on this story from The Wall Street Journal.