Floyd Mayweather Is Looking To Close His Career With An Historical Victory
LAS VEGAS, NV (CBS) — The press conference announcing the Sept. 12 fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Thursday between Floyd Mayweather and Andre Berto didn't receive a whole lot of fanfare.
But the fight, supposedly a guaranteed Mayweather victory, does offer a piece of historical intrigue. If he wins, and he should, Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) will tie all-time great Rocky Marciano's magical 49-0 record.
It will also be, according to Mayweather, his last fight. The greatest fighter of this generation, who will finish his six-fight deal with Showtime making more money than any prize fighter in the history of the sport, says that this fight will be his last.
Many doubt that.
"Berto is a very, very tough guy, and I know he's not going to lie down, and I choose Berto because he's very exciting," Mayweather said. "I've received a lot of backlash, Berto taken a lot of backlash, because no one supports buying the fight. This fight is a very intriguing matchup.
"Andre Berto is going to push Floyd Mayweather to the limit, and that's one thing that I know. Come Sept. 13, I don't want you guys saying, 'Damn, I missed the fight.' The difference between Andre Berto and Manny Pacquiao is you guys [the media] put all of the hype into Manny Pacquiao. The media put all of the hype into Manny Pacquiao. I found a way to win."
Berto (30-3, 23 KOs), a two-time welterweight world titlist, is 3-3 over his last six fights. Many experts feel Berto is an easy mark for Mayweather.
"I've know this guy for a while, I'm already heavy in camp and everyone doesn't want to miss this one," Berto said. "This is a long time coming. I went some real trials the last three years. It took a lot of hard work and perseverance."
Mayweather chose Berto over more valid opponents like Keith Thurman, Amir Khan, Shawn Porter and Philadelphia's Danny Garcia.