Mayweather: I Always Know What My Opponent Is Doing

By Jake Donovan

As the days count down to what he insists will be the final fight of his legendary career, Floyd Mayweather continues to lavish praise on the team that has helped make him a millionaire many, many times over.
 
The undefeated reigning World welterweight champion and pound-for-pound king is squarely focused on present business at hand, his upcoming showdown with former champ Andre Berto this Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Both fighters were present for the main event pre-fight press conference on-site Wednesday afternoon, where Mayweather revealed what exactly his team brings to the table.

“A guy like Al Haymon is a guy I should have been with from the beginning of my career,” Mayweather says of the high-powered, low-profile adviser who has emerged as the most powerful entity in boxing today. “I couldn't choose a better guy for the job.”

Their working relationship dates back to 2003, when Haymon helped Mayweather break free from original manager James Prince. The union eventually led to Mayweather forming his own company—Mayweather Promotions—shortly after buying out the remainder of his contract with Top Rank in 2006 after spending the first nine years of his career with the Las Vegas-based promotional giant.

He has since marched on to become the biggest box-office attraction in boxing history, reaching a point where he is breaking his own records. Most recently, Mayweather starred in the monster May 2 promotion with longtime rival Manny Pacquiao. While their event was a dud in the ring, there was enough money generated for both fighters to clear nine-figures each.

The same energy is nowhere to be found for this weekend’s big event in Las Vegas, where Mayweather (48-0, 26KOs) is a 30-1 favorite to beat Berto (30-3, 23KOs).

If he wins and stays true to his word, then the 38-year old will go out at 49-0 and high among the greatest fighters in boxing history. Often praised for his in-ring smarts and year-round tireless work ethic, Mayweather hinted at one potential key out-of-the-ring attribute to his preparation and ongoing success during his time spent behind the mic at Wednesday’s presser.

“I know everything that goes on with what my opponent is doing; what’s he’s eating, what moves he’s making,” Mayweather insisted. “Look at Berto; he went to the gym last night. His weight was low, so he didn’t train. Every move that you make, I know. This is called chess, not checkers.” 

For whatever it’s worth, Berto denied Mayweather’s claim, although it had to make him think twice given that they are both advised by Haymon.

“That's definitely not true. I got a nice workout in,” Berto told Showtime’s Brian Custer in an interview following the press conference. “I don't know what he thinks he knows. I'm on weight, so I don't have a problem.”

The bout will air live on Showtime Pay-Per-View, with the telecast beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com
Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Facebook Page: JakeBScene