‘This is it’: Mayweather confirms Berto fight will be the last in boxing career

Many boxing observers doubt that Floyd Mayweather Jr. will walk away from the sport of boxing after his September fight with Andre Berto. However, the undefeated American, who is considered the top pound-for-pound boxer in the world, has declared with finality that he is indeed retiring from boxing saying that his health is more important than anything the sport can offer.

"This is it," Mayweather Jr. said in a press conference to promote the Mayweather-Berto fight via Las Vegas Review-Journal. "My health is more important than anything. I have a sharp mind, and I want to leave the sport the same way."

Mayweather Jr. (48-0-0, 26 knockouts) has been criticised for his selection of Berto as his next and what is now confirmed as his final opponent. The unheralded Berto is not among the popular fighters in the division and has lost three of his last six bouts.

Mayweather Jr. has defended his decision in fighting Berto, describing his opponent as a dangerous fighter with "nothing to lose" and added that he has trained harder for this upcoming fight than in his previous bouts.

Before the fight against Berto, Mayweather Jr. established himself as the best boxer in the world by beating Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines in the fight tabbed as the “Fight of the Century” last May 2, 2015. The bout drew huge numbers both on pay-per-view buys and live gate attendance as both Mayweather Jr. and Pacquiao earned record-breaking purses for their fight.

Owing to some controversies of the Mayweather-Pacquiao bout-- including the supposed non-disclosure of Pacquiao’s shoulder injury-- plus the historical numbers produced by the fight, there were rumours that both fighters will consider a rematch in 2016. If Mayweather Jr. is true to his word, a rematch against Pacquiao or any other boxer will remain as speculations.

However, Mayweather Jr. also announced his retirement from boxing in June of 2008 only to return to the top of the squared ring over a year later.

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