The news officially landed yesterday that P4P boss Floyd Mayweather will indeed fight Florida’s Andre Berto on September 12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The news will come as no surprise to those who have been praying that Floyd was only joking when he mentioned Berto in the same breath as Karim Mayfield some months ago, and it will be a crushing blow to Britain’s Amir Khan who has been desperately chasing the fight – going on record recently to suggest he was holding out on Floyd potentially surprising him with a late-doors call up.
No such luck, it seems.
Crtiticism is already rife, especially after a rumour the fight would be on free-to-air-television (on CBS) was quickly scotched when the event was announced a PPV.
Had the fight been on network television in America, it would have softened the blow for those who deem Berto an unworthy opponent – especially given that he has lost 3 of his last 6 – beginning when Victor Ortiz derailed his career in their 2011 thriller and took his WBC welterweight title.
In spite of this the Florida man believes he will be able to do the impossible and stage what will be one of the biggest upsets in boxing history when he fights Mayweather.
“I’m coming to kick Floyd’s ass on Sept. 12,” Berto 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. You don’t want to miss this.”
One thing Berto will do is try to “bring it”. He’s usually in decent enough fights and with his previous world title pedigree an easy sell to casual fans, team Mayweather are obviously confident they can do decent enough PPV numbers.
Exactly how decent after May’s poorly received Pacquiao fight is anybody’s guess, although after smashing the all-time PPV record on that occasion, grossing over $500 million with 4.4 million buys, one doubts he’s too bothered. “It is still a Floyd Mayweather fight after all” is surely the psychology behind that one.
Speaking at the fight announcement, Floyd said;
I’m ready to get back in the ring on Sept. 12 and prove again to the whole world why I’m the best ever.
“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 Sept. 12, I’m going to make it 49.”
Victory takes Floyd within touching distance of breaking Rocky Marciano’s fabled 49-0 unbeaten record should he choose to fight on to “50-0” next May, as many expect he will.
Sadly on this occasion, those wanting to see Floyd fight top young (Haymon managed) welterweights like Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter, Khan – or even Matchroom Sport’s British IBF champion Kell Brook – are left scratching their heads for now.
Twitter @Undilutedpoison
