Andre Berto blocking out the Floyd Mayweather hype ahead of Las Vegas fight ‘mission’
American says the undefeated champion is not the fighter he once was
Andre Berto said Tuesday he is blocking out the hype for his welterweight world title bout against Floyd Mayweather and believes the pound-for-pound king is no longer the fighter he was.
I don’t get caught up in all that. I don’t get caught up in all the hoopla and all the crazy sh*t
He may have lost three of his last six fights and be a massive underdog but Berto, 31, a two-time former champion, says he is in the best shape of his life, as he attempts to become the first man to beat his fellow American.
Mayweather says he intends to hang up his gloves after the September 12 showdown in Las Vegas and he infuriated boxing fans in handpicking Berto when there were more than half a dozen more attractive – but more dangerous – fighters in the field.
Mayweather will match the 49-0 record of legend Rocky Marciano if – as expected – he defeats Berto.
But Berto (30-3, 23 KOs) is laughing off all the flak, talk of records and his opponent’s propensity for showing off his staggering wealth to the world on social media and on television.
“I don’t get caught up in all that. I don’t get caught up in all the hoopla and all the crazy sh*t,” Berto told reporters in a conference call.
“I don’t want to get caught up and caught off guard ... I’m on a mission.”