Floyd Mayweather confirms he will fight Andre Berto on 12 September

Floyd-Mayweather-Jr

•Unbeaten American aiming to extend record to 49-0
   • Mayweather has not fought since beating Manny Pacquiao on points in May

FLOYD Mayweather has announced that he will fight the former welterweight world champion Andre Berto on 12 September at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Mayweather, who will attempt to match Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 unbeaten record, made the announcement on social media on Tuesday.

“September 12, 2015 number 49. Come be part of the history. Book your hotel and flights now,” Mayweather tweeted.
Mayweather has not fought since beating Manny Pacquiao on points in May. Berto, who was born in Haiti but now lives in Florida, last fought Josesito López in March.

The British welterweights Amir Khan and Kell Brook had both been hoping for a shot at the pound-for-pound king but Tuesday night’s announcement looks to have put paid to those hopes.

Mayweather has long insisted his last fight would be in September when his current six-fight deal with Showtime expires, with Khan insisting at several points that a deal was close for a showdown between him and the American veteran.

“I don’t think I have ever been closer to getting the fight with Floyd Mayweather than I am at this moment,” Khan said at the start of June.

“The indications are that I have strengthened my case with my win over [Chris] Algieri and I believe there is every chance the fight could be confirmed within the next two weeks.”

That never emerged, however, and it is Berto who will look to inflict a first defeat on the 38-year-old at the 49th time of asking. Mayweather currently holds the WBA and WBC titles at 147 pounds. Guardian.com