Unbeaten superstar Floyd Mayweather has defended opting for Andre Berto for his next, and potentially final, fight.
The American is just one win away from matching Rocky Marciano’s record of 49 wins without loss and some have suggested he has taken an easy option in selecting Berto.
The 31-year-old is a former world champion but his recent record indicates a fighter in decline.
Berto has lost three of his last six contests, including a unanimous decision defeat to Victor Ortiz, who Mayweather secured a fourth round stoppage win over in 2011.
British pair Amir Khan and Kell Brook had been mooted as potential opponents and many pundits feel both would have provided tougher competition for Mayweather, but the 38-year-old insists Berto has not been called on simply so he can move to 49-0.
“Berto is a tough competitor, a former world champion. Every time he goes out he gives it 100%,” said Mayweather.
“He’s been given backlash. I’ve been given backlash. But Andre Berto is going to push Floyd Mayweather to the limit.”
Berto, meanwhile, appeared to concede he may have been selected with a view to cementing Mayweather’s legacy – but he has welcomed the chance to take on one of the sport’s top stars in what could be the five-division world champion’s swansong.
He said: “We should probably have had this fight a few years back but everything happens for a reason and the time is now.”
The pair go head to head on September 12 and British star George Groves has a place on the undercard as he takes on Sweden’s Badou Jack for the WBC super-middleweight title.
Groves is 1.53 to emerge victorious, Jack is 2.50 and a draw is 21.00.
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