LAS VEGAS — Boxing’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter Floyd Mayweather encountered one of his toughest fights but managed to hang on Saturday night and gain a split decision against Marcos Maidana to become the WBA and WBC welterweight champion of the world.

“It was a tough fight, which is what the fans wanted to see,” said the unbeaten Mayweather.

Judge Michael Pernick scored it 114-114, a draw. Bert Clements had it 117-111 and Dave Moretti score it 116-112 for Mayweather. The announcement was met by boos from some of the crowd. Maidana’s camp had been so excited at the end that his handlers carried him around on their shoulders.

“If the fans want to see it again, let’s do it again,” Mayweather said.

Said Maidana, “I have to give him a rematch, because I won.”

Mayweather is now 46-0 with 26 KOs, while Maidana falls to 35-4 with 31 KOs