Hunter Reacts To Mayweather Naming Berto For 9/12

By Rick Reeno

Trainer Virgil Hunter finds himself in an awkward position in recent days.

One of the bigger names being trained by Hunter, former world champion Amir Khan, is campaigning very aggressively to challenge WBC/WBO/WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. on September 12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

During the last few days, Mayweather has repeatedly named Andre Berto and Karim Mayfield as the two potential opponents to fight him in September.  

Very few insiders believe Berto or Mayfield will actually win the Mayweather sweepstakes.

This would not be the first time where Mayweather pulled a swerve by attempting to redirect the public. Two years ago, Mayweather named Devon Alexander as the leading candidate to fight him on Cinco De Mayo weekend. Ultimately, Mayweather turned around and named Robert Guerrero as the actual opponent. 

Besides training Khan and several others, Hunter is also the trainer for Berto.

He chose his words very carefully with respect to Mayweather's statements that his boxer is under consideration for a fight.

Will it be Khan? Will it be Berto? Like everyone else, Hunter is going to sit back and watch everything play out.

"In my position, not speaking for the fighter, but in my position it's never done until it's done. You hear rumors and things. But Floyd can say whatever he wants to say. If he wants to have fun by making suggestions, putting these types of things out there, he can do that," Hunter told BoxingScene.com.

"As far as Floyd's decision. I guess we'll have to wait and see. It's great to be in that position where the boxing world is waiting to see."