The Sunday Mail
FLOYD MAYWEATHER says he chose Andre Berto as his next opponent because the American is an exciting fighter.
Mayweather on Thursday hit back at critics of his choice of opponent for the welterweight title bout in Las Vegas next month.
If he wins, the undefeated champion will equal former heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano’s record of 49-0.
Mayweather has faced a storm of criticism since announcing earlier this week he will face the unfancied Berto on September 12.
“I have been getting backlash,” Mayweather said. “They say no one in the sport will buy the fight. I picked him because he is an exciting fighter.”
Mayweather also dismissed suggestions that he should have chosen Britain’s former two-time “world” champion Amir Khan, who is considered a tougher opponent and who has been angling for a confrontation with the American.
“How many championships has Khan won? Two. Berto has also won two,” Mayweather said when he and Berto came face to face in Los Angeles on Thursday for a press conference to launch the countdown to the fight.
There was no trash talking at their news conference but the fighters did get together for a stare-down at the front of the podium.
Berto, who has a record of 30-3, including 23 knockouts, thanked Mayweather for the opportunity and his trainer Virgil Hunter spent more time at the podium lavishing praise on Mayweather than he did talking about his fighter.
Mayweather brushed off criticism of his cagey, tactical performance against Pacquiao earlier this year, which failed to live up to the hype. He reiterated that next month’s bout would be his final fight, a claim few commentators are taking seriously given that he is likely to face a money-spinning payday for a chance to go 50-0. Mayweather said after his win over Pacquiao he would surrender his titles so that younger boxers could hold them, but he has yet to follow through on that promise.
A new arena will be opened in Las Vegas next year, which would be convenient for Mayweather’s 50th fight as a professional.
On the undercard of next month’s tournament, Swedish-born Badou Jack and England’s George Groves clash in a super-middleweight title fight. – AFP
