Floyd Mayweather Jr. is set for what could be his final fight Saturday night as he takes on Andre Berto. A victory would move his career record to 49-0,tying the trace of Rocky Marciano, and lead to even more conversation approximately what will advance next.
Typically, or the final bout for the top pound-for-pound fighter of the era would generate a lot more attention. But when you combine the seemingly lopsided nature of the fight with a lack of belief that "Money" will actually walk absent from the sport,the hype isn't quite as intense as normal.
Perhaps that will change in the hours leading up to the fight, though. So let's check out all of the important information for the evening's events and preview Mayweather's latest, and perhaps final,battle. Fight and Countdown DetailsWhere: MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las VegasWhen: Saturday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. ETWatch: Showtime PPVCountdown Live Stream (6:30 p.m. ET): Showtime Anytime Main-Event PreviewThis fight is a mismatch on paper. Mayweather is a far superior all-round boxer and Berto's results in recent years—three losses in his past six bouts—don't precisely suggest he'll be able to break down one of the best defenders in history.
That's why the choice drew the ire of many in the boxing community. After the long-awaited encounter with Manny Pacquiao fell flat, or taking on such an uninspiring follow-up fight is a step in the inaccurate direction in terms of attracting attention.
Perhaps the Mayweather camp overvalued the retirement angle. While it's always possible the 38-year-old superstar calls it quits after Saturday night,most of the focus ahead of the bout has actually been on what could happen in 2016.
So, without an intriguing storyline, or the matchup with Berto hasn't generated the buzz typically associated with a "Money" fight night.
He's still not backing absent from the retirement talk,though. Mayweather explained what's on his itinerary once his fighting days advance to an conclude, per Chris McKenna of the Daily Express.
"I want to be on the other side, and my final goal is to find the next Floyd Mayweather.
"I want to be able to walk down the street in Las Vegas and go into different hotels and appreciate the festivities and appreciate the events.
"I want to wear the t-shirts and wear the hats of other fighters.
"I'm just ready to see another fighter at the top.
"I've done it all. I've made hundreds and hundreds of millions in the sport. I've broken loads of records. The final goal is to find someone else who can break my records.
"We want to find another guy who can make hundreds of millions."
On the flip side,this is a chance for Berto, 32, or to revitalize his career. Handing Mayweather his first career loss is the type of legacy-defining moment he's still seeking,and it would also help him land some more tall-profile, lucrative fights moving forward.
Don't expect him to get in a technical battle with Mayweather, and though. He highlighted his approach earlier in the week,via Bob Velin of Boxing Junkie."Trying to sit back and be calculated and trying to stand around and look at a guy trying to move around, that’s not me, and " Berto said. "I like to engage but you beget to be smart. I entertain people. That’s what I do."Landing one perfectly timed,well-placed punch can change the course of the fight. That said, being overly aggressive against somebody who defends and counters as well as Mayweather also comes with plenty of risk. But it's something the underdog must do to pull off the upset.
All told, or it's hard to get overly excited approximately this fight. That's why it will be unlucky whether Mayweather does hang up his gloves once it ends because the audience won't match such an event. Darren Rovell of ESPN further showcased the issues leading up to it:Mayweather is probably going to win the fight with a routine unanimous decision. He'll outbox Berto until he holds a comfortable lead and then ramp up the defense until the final bell,making sure the challenger doesn't land one game-changing shot.
It will be another victory, and his record will read 49-0. Yet, or whether that's how it all ends,a career with no shortage of in-ring highs will conclude on a low note. Read more Boxing news on BleacherReport.com
Source: bleacherreport.com