Tuesday 18 August 2015 11:50, UK
Floyd Mayweather's fight against Andre Berto in Las Vegas on September 12 will be the last of his career, according to Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe.
The undefeated welterweight will equal heavyweight legend Rocky Marciano's long-standing unbeaten record of 49-0 if he defeats Berto.
Mayweather has the opportunity of further cementing his legacy as one of boxing's all-time greats if he can surpass that record and extend his unbeaten record to 50 fights - but his trusted confidant Ellerbe is adamant this will be the final time the 38-year-old will enter the ring.
"Here's a guy who's made well over a half-billion dollars, doing it his way, and he can ride off into the sunset after this," Ellerbe said.
"That's a fact. This is Floyd's last fight. I'm not trying to sell it that way. This is going to be his last fight. And the fans get a chance to see Floyd in a very, very exciting fight with a guy that we know is coming to fight."
Mayweather has faced a storm of criticism since announcing the unfancied Berto as his next opponent in favour of a perceived tougher challenge such as Britain’s Amir Khan.
Berto, 31, is a former Olympian and welterweight champion, but came up short against two previous opponents Mayweather convincingly defeated in Robert Guerrero and Victor Ortiz.
Many pundits feel Berto’s aggressive style will play into Mayweather’s hands and enhance the champion’s chances of a first knockout since he stopped Ortiz in 2011 - although Sky Sports' Johnny Nelson has defended Mayweather's choice of opponent.
Ellerbe, however, insists Berto has been chosen on merit and guarantees sceptical fans will see an exciting fight.
"He's never, ever been in a dull fight," Ellerbe said of Berto. "He's been in two fight-of-the-year candidates, with the Ortiz fight and the Guerrero fight. We know he's been knocked down but he gets back up and fights his heart out.
"We already know we're going to get the best of the best from him, what he's able to do. And one thing you do know is it is guaranteed excitement.
“So with that, I think you're going to see a totally different kind of Floyd, too, because Berto fights in a very aggressive, offensive manner and it kind of forces you to do other things.
"Floyd didn't take a step back in the Pacquiao fight, so what makes anybody think he's going to take a step back in this fight? And the other guy's fighting the same kind of way.”
