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Rediff.com  » Sports » Mayweather's got a new challenger who is 'ready to kick his ass'

Mayweather's got a new challenger who is 'ready to kick his ass'

August 05, 2015 11:30 IST
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I always bring my A-game and this fight against Andre Berto is no exception, says the 38-year-old Mayweather, who will get back in the ring on September 12

Andre Berto

Andre Berto is Floyd Mayweather's new challenger. Photograph: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather (48-0) will put his unbeaten record on the line when he steps into the ring to face Andre Berto in Las Vegas on September 12 in what could be the final fight of his career, it was announced on Tuesday.

Mayweather, who beat Manny Pacquiao in May in what was billed as the "Fight of the Century", will risk his WBC and WBA welterweight world titles against the power-punching, two-time welterweight world champion Berto (30-3) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

A victory for Mayweather would match the record of the late heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano, who retired in April 1956 with an unblemished record of 49-0.

"I'm ready to get back in the ring on September 12 and prove again to the whole world why I'm 'The Best Ever,'" said the 38-year-old Mayweather.

"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 September 12, I'm going to make it 49."

Floyd Mayweather Jr. celebrates the unanimous decision victory after defeating Manny Pacquiao during the welterweight unification championship bout at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, in May this year

Floyd Mayweather Jr. celebrates the unanimous decision victory after defeating Manny Pacquiao during the welterweight unification championship bout at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, in May this year. Photograph: Al Bello/Getty Images

Haitian-American Berto, who has lost three of his last six fights, sounded a confident note about finding the range against the elusive Mayweather, rated one of the greatest defensive fighters of all-time.

"I'm coming to kick Floyd's ass on September 12," said Berto, 31, who has won his last two bouts.

"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."

The match will be the sixth and final fight of a record-breaking deal between Mayweather and Showtime Networks, leading to speculation it could be the farewell match for the American.

A world champion in five divisions, Mayweather made a reported $220 million from his unanimous decision over Pacquiao in what the most lucrative fight ever staged generating close to $600 million in revenue.

Two other world championship fights are also planned for the pay-per-view telecast.

Roman "Rocky" Martinez (29-2-2) will risk his WBO junior lightweight title in a rematch against the boxer he dethroned, four-time world champion Orlando "Siri" Salido (42-13-2).

Badou Jack "The Ripper" (19-1-1) will make the first defence of his WBC super middleweight title against mandatory challenger "Saint" George Groves (21-2, 16 KOs).

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Source: REUTERS
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