Floyd Mayweather has denied boxing fans a fitting farewell by fighting Andre Berto

Photo by Naoki Fukuda

American’s opponent is unlikely to challenge his unbeaten record, and that is a pity for the sport and the fighter

Fans are underwhelmed by Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s announcement that Andre Berto will be his 49th opponent.

The World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association welterweight belts are on the line against the Haitian-American power puncher (30-3, 23 KOs), but more than that, so is the preservation of Floyd’s unbeaten 19-year run which allows the 38-year-old and his team to crow that he is ‘The Best Ever’.

The MGM Grand Garden Arena will still play home to a huge ‘event’ with Mayweather, if triumphant, going on to match the record of the late heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano, who retired in April 1956 with a record of 49-0. But Mayweather’s climb to greatness, and staggering riches, has been built around the ‘unbeaten’ tag. And it is more important to him now than ever before.

Read the full story from Gareth A Davies, Boxing correspondent for The Telegraph.