Boxing: Floyd Mayweather, Andre Berto Officially Set for Sept. 12 in Las Vegas

The speculation can end.

Following months of rumors circulating in boxing circles, Floyd Mayweather will indeed square off with Andre Berto on Sept. 10 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The 147-pound showdown will have Mayweather’s WBC and WBA titles on the line and is to air in the U.S. on Showtime pay-per-view.

“I’m ready to get back in the ring on Sept. 12 and prove again to the whole world why I’m ‘The Best Ever,’” declared Mayweather in a statement delivered to the media Tuesday afternoon. “I always bring my A-game and this fight against Andre Berto is no exception. He’s a young, strong fighter who is hungry to take down the best. Forty-eight have tried before and on Sept. 12, I’m going to make it 49.”

At 48-0 with 26 KOs, the 38-year-old Mayweather is one win away from matching the record of heavyweight legend Rocky Marciano, who retired with a perfect ledger of 49-0. The feat would bolster the argument for Mayweather’s place among the sport’s all-time greats.

Berto, 30-3 with 23 KOs, has plans of spoiling the occasion.

“I'm coming to kick Floyd’s ass on September 12,” stated the challenger, whose brother Edson Berto was a mixed martial artist that competed under the EliteXC banner. “Best believe that I plan to bring it to Floyd and I'm not concerned about what 48 other fighters have been unable to do. Somebody is getting knocked out and it won't be me. You don't want to miss this.”

The bill will be supported by a strong undercard featuring WBO junior lightweight champion Roman Martinez (29-2-2, 17 KOs) in a rematch with Orlando Salido (42-13-2, 29 KOs) and WBC “super” middleweight ace Badou Jack (19-1-1, 12 KOs) against George Groves (21-2, 16 KOs). A fourth televised bout is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.