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 Berto, 31, he has blinkered himself from all the hype and hoopla
that usually surrounds the build-up to a Mayweather bout and claims
he has never been fitter as he prepares to step into the ring at the
MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sept. 12.
"I've had a tremendous training camp, a long camp but a tremendous
camp," twice former welterweight world champion Berto told reporters
on a conference call on Tuesday. "I've never run harder. I'm
definitely in the best shape that I've ever been in.
"I've worked with a lot of different sparring partners. Floyd is a
very skilled fighter but I think I bring a combination of speed and
power to the table. I think I have a better athletic ability. I can
keep up with Floyd."
Mayweather, widely regarded as one of the best defensive fighters
ever, will put his unbeaten record on the line against Berto, a man
who has lost three of his last six fights and is viewed by some as
an easy opponent for their welterweight clash.
Should five-division world champion Mayweather win the WBC and WBA
welterweight title bout as expected, in what he has said will be the
final fight of his career, he would match the 49-0 record of former
heavyweight great Rocky Marciano.
"It would be something huge, not just for me but for the sport,"
Berto said, when asked how much value he would place on a surprise
victory over Mayweather.
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"Floyd has been an icon for quite some time now and he's on his way
to try to match a record. So for me, being the gym-hungry fighter
coming in to take that away from him, that would be huge."
Mayweather, who improved to 48-0 by beating Manny Pacquiao in a
'mega-fight' in May that took five years to finalize and became the
richest bout in boxing, is known for his trash talking and his
flamboyant approach to life outside the ring.
Berto, however, prefers to leave all the hype to others while
preparing for fights.
"I don't get caught up in all that," said the American, who has a
30-3 record with 23 knockouts. "I don't get caught up in all the
hoopla and all the crazy shit.
"I don't want to get caught up and caught off guard. I'm on a
mission."
(Editing by John O'Brien)
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