By Rick Reeno

Las Vegas, Nevada - Leonard Ellerbe, CEO for Mayweather Promotions, strongly feels the media and fans are overlooking, and disrespecting, the abilities of former WBC/IBF welterweight champion Andre Berto (30-3, 23KOs).

Berto challenges Floyd Mayweather Jr. (48-0, 26KOs) for the WBC/WBA welterweight titles on September 12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Berto, 3-3 in his last six, has averaged one fight per year from 2012-2014. Mayweather, often criticized for being inactive, has fought five times during that period.

When Berto won a ten round decision over Steve Upsher last September, it was his first victory since 2011. He returned in March to win stop Josesito Lopez in six rounds.

But Ellerbe and Mayweather are not paying any attention to those figures. They believe Berto is going to come in swinging for the fences.

Elerbe acknowledges Berto being 3-3 in his last six and compares that ratio to Manny Pacquiao's recent run. And while that's true, their level of competition is not in the same ballpark. Berto's last six were Josesito Lopez, Steve Upsher, Jesus Soto Karass, Robert Guerrero, Jan Zaveck and Victor Ortiz. Pacquiao's last six were Mayweather, Chris Algieri, Timothy Bradley (twice), Juan Manuel Marquez and Brandon Rios.

"You guys have to stop degrading these fighters. It's like, somebody mentioned to me 'oh, he's 3-3 in his last six fights.'  So is Manny Pacquiao! He's 3-3 in his last six fights. Miguel Cotto, another future Hall of Famer, he's lost two of his last five fights. What does it mean? They are all great fighters. I know Berto can fight. I know he is coming to get the win," Ellerbe said.