Early betting odds show Andre Berto 80-1 underdog leading up to his Sept. 12 fight against unbeaten Floyd Mayweather in a title fight that will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The odds favoring Mayweather seem insurmountable and fight fans have shown little interest in buying the fight despite the huge PPV price downgrade. In the absence of signs and evidence of a possible conspiracy to fix the fight in order to assure Mayweather of his 49th straight win, Berto is expected to train really hard and give everything in his power to score a win. While Berto has been a huge underdog, veteran fighter and former IBF & WBA (Super) light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins believes Berto has a fair chance of pulling off an upset win against Mayweather. Hopkins cited the title fight between then unbeaten Mike Tyson and Buster Douglas in 1990 in Tokyo, Japan. Tyson, who was unbeaten in 37 fights, lost to Douglas by KO in round 10. Tyson was a huge favorite heading to the day of the fight. ?It ain?t what Berto is expected to do or not do, it?s what Mayweather do or don?t do. Mayweather is now in position to be his [own worst enemy] if he?s not taking Berto seriously. The burden is not on Berto, he has nothing to lose,” said Hopkins. “But if Floyd Mayweather is not respecting who he?s facing, he becomes more vulnerable. As they say, the defense attorney doesn?t have the burden of proof?it?s the DA. Look at the DA as being Berto and Mayweather being the defense in defending his legacy, his title and his ?0.?? he added. Hopkins, 50, a veteran of 66 pro fights, knows his sport. He doesn’t discount the possibility of an upset in any fight and he believes that Berto has what it takes to pull off an upset win. Besides, Berto is motivated in this fight knowing that a win would boost his career almost overnight. Berto has won 23 of his 30 pro fights by way of knockout with only three defeats in his pro career spanning 10 years since he turned pro in 2004. Berto is coming off two straight wins since losing to Jesus Soto Karass in 2013.
