Focused Berto ignoring Mayweather ‘hoopla’

WASHINGTON: Andre Berto said on Tuesday he is blocking out the hype for his welterweight world title bout against Floyd Mayweather and believes the pound-for-pound king is no longer the fighter he was.
He may have lost three of his last six fights and be a massive underdog but Berto, 31, a two-time former champion, says he is in the best shape of his life, as he attempts to become the first man to beat his fellow American.
Mayweather says he intends to hang up his gloves after the September 12 showdown in Las Vegas and he infuriated boxing fans in handpicking Berto when there were more than half a dozen more attractive — but more dangerous — fighters in the field.
Mayweather will match the 49-0 record of legend Rocky Marciano if — as expected — he defeats Berto.
But Berto (30-3, 23 KOs) is laughing off all the flak, talk of records and his opponent’s propensity for showing off his staggering wealth to the world on social media and on television.
“I don’t get caught up in all that. I don’t get caught up in all the hoopla and all the crazy shit,” Berto told reporters in a conference call. “I don’t want to get caught up and caught off guard... I’m on a mission.”
He was similarly dismissive about people eager to point out those three defeats, one of which came when he had a shoulder injury that required surgery, leaving him fearing for his career.
“I never really care too much about people hating on my situation. I’ve had haters since I was at high school, when I was stealing their girlfriends and all that,” said Berto, who was born in the United States but identifies heavily with Haiti, where his family are from.
“If you are not doing something right, they are not going to hate on you. I don’t care too much about criticism.”
Berto says he has the speed, power and hunger to spring a major surprise at the MGM Grand and believes Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) is starting to feel the heat at age 38.