This is it, boxing enthusiasts. It has been confirmed, Tuesday, that Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. will trade punches with Andre Berto in his next fight.
Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. will risk his unbeaten record of 48-0 when he faces Andre Berto who has a record of 30-3 on Sept. 12 in Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena.
"Money." who fought and triumphed over Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao last May in the highly publicized "Fight of the Century," will put his WBA and WBC welterweight world belts on the line against two-time welterweight world champ and power puncher Andre Berto, in what could be the final battle of his boxing career.
According to The Star Online, a win for Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. would equal the record of Rocky Marciano, the late heavyweight champion, who hanged up his gloves in April 1965 with a flawless record of 49-0.
Mayweather Jr. stated within announcing the fight, "I always bring my A-game and this fight against Andre Berto is no exception."
"He's a young, strong fighter who is hungry to take down the best. Forty-eight have tried before and on September 12, I'm going to make it 49," he added.
The upcoming fight will be Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s last in a six-bout contract that he signed with Showtime network. The prized fighter has repeatedly stated that he will go into retirement when the deal is done and over. The "Money", 38, has retired before, but bounced back into the ring after taking a brief hiatus.
Stephen Espinoza, Showtime Sports' executive vice president and general manager said, "Floyd has been completely consistent and hasn't wavered a bit in saying this is his last fight."
"He's still arguably the best fighter in the sport so it's somewhat surprising for him to step away now but I've never heard him say anything other than this will be his last," as per FOX Sports.
Espinoza disregarded criticisms that the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Andre Berto fight looked like a mismatch, and went on to explain that there were difficulties in working out a deal with Amir Khan and there were not enough boxers to choose from.
He continued that, unlike Pacquiao, who was not able or eager to be in their last fight, is what Andre Berto has — his aggressiveness in the ring against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
"He's one of those fighters who never fails to entertain. His biggest flaw is he's probably too aggressive," Espinoza commented on Berto.
Meanwhile, Andre Berto was victorious in his first 27 boxing matches as a professional after losing in Round 1 of the Athens Olympics, and even claimed a welterweight title. His winning streak ended though, when he lost to Victor Ortiz and in his subsequent fights to Robert Guerrero and Jesus Soto Karass.
Andre Berto seemed pretty confident though and said, "Best believe that I plan to bring it to Floyd and I'm not concerned about what 48 other fighters have been unable to do."
"Somebody is getting knocked out and it won't be me."
Aside from the anticipated boxing match against Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. and Andre Berto, Mayweather Promotions also declared that the undercard fight will pit Roman "Rocky" Martinez, junior lightweight titlist from Puerto Rico against Orlando Salido, a former titlist from Mexico, as per ESPN.
Martinez, 32, holds a record of 29-2-2, 17 KOs while Salido, 34, has 42-13-2, 29 KOs.
Their fight will be a rematch of their April 11 boxing match wherein Salido journeyed to Puerto Rico and lost his 130-pound title.
Roman Martinez said, "We are ready and working hard to make sure this title remains in Puerto Rico. Everyone saw the first fight against Orlando Salido, and I know that this second bout will also be a war. Once again we have the rivalry between Puerto Rico and Mexico, which guarantees plenty of action."
Oscar Salido disclosed, "I'm excited for the rematch with Rocky Martinez. The first fight in Puerto Rico did not go my way. I got off to a slow start and had to fight two fights — one against the referee and one against Rocky Martinez. On Sept. 12, I am going to take matters into my own hands and look to knock out Rocky to get my world title belt back. Mexico and Puerto Rico have had a great rivalry over the years, and this September you will see me bring the belt home to Mexico, where it belongs."
These upcoming fights will surely excite boxing fans all over the world. In the meantime, Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. and Andre Berto will both be present in Los Angeles on Thursday to endorse their ring match in which they have almost six weeks to prepare for.
