Mayweather confirms bout vs. Berto will be his last, says media hyped up Pacquiao
It is not being called the "Fight of the Century."
Floyd Mayweather will face Andre Berto on Sept. 12 in Las Vegas, and the fight will be Mayweather's last, he confirmed Thursday, as he looks to leave the sport undefeated at 49-0.
Mayweather and Berto will meet at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, with Floyd's WBC titles and WBA title on the line. The pay-per-view fight will be broadcast live on Showtime, and tickets will go on sale Friday at 1 p.m. ET. Prices range from $150-$1,500.
Berto is 30-3 (23 KOs) in his career and 7-1 (4 KOs) in world title fights.
"It's a long time coming, now we here," Berto said. "My time is now."
Mayweather, 38, thanked God upon arriving at the podium during the presser, also thanking countless others as he looked back on his time as a professional boxer.
"Remarkable career, remarkable career," he repeated.
"I wouldn't change a thing," he added. "We all make mistakes, we live and learn, but I wouldn't change nothing."
Mayweather said he chose Berto for his final fight because the 31-year-old is a "very, very tough guy, hungry," who won't lay down, and who is known as a very exciting fighter.
He also addressed some of the disappointment over Berto's selection.
No one is forced to buy the fight. But Andre Berto is going to push Floyd Mayweather to the limit, that's the one thing that I do know. Come Sept. 13, I don't want you guys saying, 'Damn, I missed the fight.'
The difference between Berto and Manny Pacquiao is that (the media) put all the hype in Pacquiao; that's what the media did. My job was to go out there and be a chess player and be Floyd Mayweather. I found a way to win.
Mayweather ended his press conference by showing love to his father, who also serves as his trainer.
"This dream all started with just two people: me and him," he said, turning around and pointing to his dad.
"Number 49. This is it. I had a tremendous career. I'm older, wiser, and my health is more important than anything."