LAS VEGAS ? Andre Berto seems to know something that we don?t.
Specifically, why he was selected as Floyd Mayweather Jr.?s last opponent.
When the Haitian-American fighter spoke to the media after his arrival at the MGM Grand Hotel for his showdown against Mayweather on Saturday, Berto (30-3, 23 knockouts) began to allude to something a little bit more personal regarding Mayweather?s rationale for picking Berto, who has been criticized for not being a viable opponent.
?Why don?t you guys ask him why he chose me,? Berto responded with an accusatory tone during a private session with the media at the MGM?s VIP room. ?It?s always been something? I have a few ideas.?
Perhaps sick and tired of the inquiries and criticism, Berto began to open up about his history with Mayweather. Although many are aware that there has been a relationship between the two dating back several years, nobody is quite sure the extent of it and if it played any role in Berto getting the nod over fighters perceived to be more qualified including Amir Khan.
?After I won the National Golden Gloves (in the early 2000s) he took me out to dinner and told be I was the next guy up,? Berto said of his early meetings with Mayweather while showing old pictures of the two that are clearly a decade old. ?He always showed me love.?
But Berto believes that Mayweather (48-0, 26 knockouts) always saw him as a threat and attempted to keep him close to monitor his movements.
?I think he?s always had a certain type of idea about me,? Berto continued. ?But he was never my type of guy. I show respect where respect is due but I got into this game to take the No. 1 spot and that?s where he is.?
Berto says that he and Mayweather share a few friends, specifically those of the opposite sex, and was alerted by people in Mayweather?s inner circle shortly after the Manny Pacquiao fight that he would be next.
?I?m tied into this certain type of circle,? the former two-time world champion explained. ?I was already informed (that I might be next) after the Pacquiao fight. I have guys that I know who had came back from Floyd?s house that said he wanted me next. So I already knew. Before that fight when I tore my shoulder I had some visitors come to see me at the hospital and they kind of gave me the inside on what was happening.?
Berto was reluctant to offer any specific details regarding these relationships but was steadfast that there is something deeper at work aside from Berto being an exciting fighter.
?I don?t know what?s going through his head,? Berto shrugged off. ?We know a lot of the same people so it must be something. (The media doesn?t) think I deserve this fight so he must be trying to beat me up for a reason. Every other fighter makes sense but before he leaves he wants to fight me.?
