Mayweather targets Marciano’s 49-0 record in ‘final fight’ with Berto

“I know what it takes to win a fight of this magnitude,” continued Mayweather, who is 14/1 to sensationally lose out to Berto. “One thing I can do, I can fight. I can’t just say I’m going out 49-0. You can never overlook anyone and in this camp, did I push myself? Absolutely.

“I never look past any opponent, I train for any fighter the same way, I push myself. I believe in my skills and I believe in my talent. I’ve been in there with the best and the results have always been the same.

“You have fighters that may be faster than me, you have fighters that may hit harder than me, you have fighters that are very athletic, but you don’t have any fighter that can make adjustments like me, you don’t have fighters that can be on my level mentally. It’s never personal for me, it’s always business.”

With all eyes on Mayweather, as usual, under the blinding lights of Sin City this weekend, massive underdog Berto will aim to make history by halting one of the most dominant sporting runs ever, and he is up for the challenge.

“It’s funny, when it comes to the media, when it comes to the critics, they’re not in that gym busting their ass and knowing the feeling of being a fighter, they don’t know it,” declared Berto.

“They don’t know the miles we run, they don’t know the punishment we take in the gym, they don’t know the sacrifices that we have to make to become a world champion, it’s a small selective few that can do that.

“They are small whispers of negativity from people who couldn’t dare to do what we do, so anybody that steps in the ring I have to respect. But at the end of the day, when it comes to Saturday night, when it comes to fight time, I’m coming for my respect.”

Whether this is truly the last we see of Mayweather in the ring is highly questionable, with the limelight-craving American having outlined his retirement previously in 2007 before returning only months later to face Ricky Hatton.

Though, the unwavered career of this eccentric world champion could possibly end this weekend and, after six successive points victories, Mayweather is odds-on 8/15 to go out with another defensively-assured decision in his favour.

If it genuinely is the final fight in the illustrious career of such a decorated champion, then it won’t be until long after Mayweather has let himself fade into the boxing background that he will be truly appreciated for his success. But he isn’t fooling anyone.