Floyd Mayweather will retire after fighting Andre Berto, says Leonard Ellerbe

Floyd Mayweather (L) and Andre Berto pose with Mayweather's belt at a press conference ahead of their Las Vegas fight

Floyd Mayweather's fight against Andre Berto in Las Vegas on September 12 will be the last of his career, according to Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe.

The undefeated welterweight will equal heavyweight legend Rocky Marciano's long-standing unbeaten record of 49-0 if he defeats Berto.

Mayweather has the opportunity of further cementing his legacy as one of boxing's all-time greats if he can surpass that record and extend his unbeaten record to 50 fights - but his trusted confidant Ellerbe is adamant this will be the final time the 38-year-old will enter the ring.

CEO of Mayweather Promotions Leonard Ellerbe (L) and WBC/WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. arrive at MGM Grand

"Here's a guy who's made well over a half-billion dollars, doing it his way, and he can ride off into the sunset after this," Ellerbe said.

"That's a fact. This is Floyd's last fight. I'm not trying to sell it that way. This is going to be his last fight. And the fans get a chance to see Floyd in a very, very exciting fight with a guy that we know is coming to fight."

Mayweather has faced a storm of criticism since announcing the unfancied Berto as his next opponent in favour of a perceived tougher challenge such as Britain’s Amir Khan.

Berto, 31, is a former Olympian and welterweight champion, but came up short against two previous opponents Mayweather convincingly defeated in Robert Guerrero and Victor Ortiz.

Many pundits feel Berto’s aggressive style will play into Mayweather’s hands and enhance the champion’s chances of a first knockout since he stopped Ortiz in 2011 - although Sky Sports' Johnny Nelson has defended Mayweather's choice of opponent.

Ellerbe, however, insists Berto has been chosen on merit and guaranteed sceptical fans will see an exciting fight.

"He's never, ever been in a dull fight," Ellerbe said of Berto. "He's been in two fight-of-the-year candidates, with the Ortiz fight and the Guerrero fight. We know he's been knocked down but he gets back up and fights his heart out.

"We already know we're going to get the best of the best from him, what he's able to do. And one thing you do know is it is guaranteed excitement.

“So with that, I think you're going to see a totally different kind of Floyd, too, because Berto fights in a very aggressive, offensive manner and it kind of forces you to do other things."

"Floyd didn't take a step back in the Pacquiao fight, so what makes anybody think he's going to take a step back in this fight? And the other guy's fighting the same kind of way.”

Floyd Mayweather Won't Quit, Would Lose Manny Pacquiao Fight, Says Freddie Roach

Floyd Mayweather’s upcoming fight with Andre Berto is being billed as his last, but iconic trainer Freddie Roach isn’t buying that assessment, insisting the unbeaten star will fight on.

“I don’t know where Mayweather’s going right now,” he told George Gigney of Boxing News (h/t Edward Chaykovsky of Boxing Scene). “I don’t think he’ll stop at 49 fights, I think he’ll fight to 50. I’m hoping that he promotes himself, maybe if he does he can make more money.”

Roach, who trained Manny Pacquiao for his bout with Mayweather earlier this year, also said that if the American and the Filipino were to square off again, the result—Mayweather won via unanimous decision last time out—would be different. After the fight, Manny revealed he had torn a shoulder muscle in his preparations, per Ben Dirs of BBC Sport.

“Manny would do much better in a rematch, if the shoulder gets better,” said Roach, per Gigney. “We were doing well until the shoulder went in the fourth round and we had a tough time after that. I do think we can beat Mayweather 100 percent.”

When you consider Pacquiao-Mayweather was the most lucrative boxing event of all time, per Alan Hubbard of the Independent, that fight might have been the ideal time for Mayweather to hang up his gloves. Needless to say, the bout with Berto has done little to whip up hyperbole to a level anywhere near what accompanied the May showdown.

Skip Bayless of ESPN thinks that Mayweather should get in the ring once more and give a recuperated Pacquiao another chance:

It’s impossible to calculate just how much Manny’s injury hindered him on the night, but even if Mayweather declines the opportunity of a rematch with the Filipino, he still has nothing to prove. The prospect of going 50-0 may be a tantalising one for the American, though, as will be bettering Rocky Marciano’s mark of a perfect win record from 49 fights.

Mayweather claims the fight with Berto will be his last.

But Mayweather has previously insisted that the outing with Berto is definitely going to be the curtain call on his distinguished career. “September 12th is my last dance,” he said in a press conference, via Gareth Davies of the Telegraph. “On September 13 I just want to sit back and watch some football.”

Could Mayweather have potentially opted for a better opponent in his final fight? ESPN's Dan Rafael thinks so:

After the underwhelming manner in which the first fight ended, a Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch may not be the best course of action for the sport. But Mayweather potentially chasing 50-0, plus the lucrative gains to be made, would surely appeal to both men and be an intriguing slant if they were to go at it once again.

Mayweather seems content with his current legacy, though, with the win over Pacquiao adding the gloss to an immaculate career. The Berto fight may be a damp squib and an unfitting finale for one of the greatest boxers ever, but Mayweather seems to have achieved all he wanted in the sport, meaning Roach’s assessment of a rematch is likely to remain hypothetical.

West Haven boy fulfills dream of going to Floyd Mayweather's gym

WEST HAVEN — An 11-year-old with a goal of someday boxing professionally fulfilled a dream of going to Floyd Mayweather's gym and watching him train.

West Haven resident Preston Tiffany was introduced to MMA boxing in 2011 at the age of 7. In June, he became a national boxing champion after winning the title for his age group at the U.S. Junior Olympics in Charleston, West Virginia.

Preston's mother, Amanda Tiffany, said her son is inspired by boxing champion Floyd Mayweather and watches all of his matches. She said for the past four years, she has taken Preston and her family to watch the National Golden Gloves tournament.

"His dream is to meet Floyd Mayweather just one time and go to his gym," Tiffany said.

Preston and his older brother competed in the Junior Golden Gloves tournament in Mesquite, Nevada, July 21-15. While the family was at the tournament, they received news that their family dog died. Despite the bad news, both boys advanced to the semifinals, but ended up losing.

The losses in addition to the the death of their pet made it an emotional week for them, Tiffany said. To lift their spirits, the family decided to go to Floyd Mayweather's personal gym, Mayweather Boxing Club, in Las Vegas. Because the facility is not open to the public, Tiffany said she didn't think they would be able to get inside.

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Preston just about died. All three boys were just in awe. … He even said, 'Mom, when he hit the heavy bag, I got a piece of Floyd's sweat on me. … Mom, I'm never wiping this arm again.' 

–Amanda Tiffany

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"We went there and Preston and his two brothers were leaning up against the window… and we went to walk away and they had their heads slouched down and a guy opens up the door and says, '... Hold on a minute, let me go ask my supervisor if you can come in.' "

Tiffany said their family was allowed to go inside the gym and as they were looking around, a staff member invited them to go back for a second visit on Monday. When the family went back, Tiffany said Preston and her other two sons were able to sparr and they met and talked with Floyd Mayweather's uncle and trainer, Roger Mayweather. During their visit, they were also able to watch Floyd Mayweather workout and train.

"Preston just about died," Tiffany said. "All three boys were just in awe. … He even said, 'Mom, when he hit the heavy bag, I got a piece of Floyd's sweat on me. … Mom, I'm never wiping this arm again.' "

Tiffany said Preston didn't get to formally meet Floyd Mayweather, but that the experience in his gym "boosted his week."

Manny Pacquiao News: After Floyd Mayweather Fight, Amir Khan A Likely Opponent For PacMan In 2016?

Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan could fight each other in 2016. Getty

Manny Pacquiao won’t be fighting again in 2015, as he recovers from the surgery he underwent to repair his torn rotator cuff. But the welterweight is looking to make a return to the ring in 2016, and Amir Khan believes he has a good chance to be his next opponent.

Khan has been looking to fight either Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather for a while, and it appears that he will miss out on his chance to face the boxer that beat PacMan on May 2. Mayweather has balked at a rematch with the Filipino icon, despite the record windfall for both boxers, which opens the door for Khan to take on Pacquaio, the world’s No.2 welterweight.

“There have been talks of an Amir Khan fight in Dubai for many years now,” Khan told The National. “Everyone knows my position: I am ready to fight if they are serious about it. Bob Arum has contacted my team to fight Manny Pacquiao around March or April in Dubai. Let’s see how that develops.

“Since Floyd is running scared, I want Pacquiao in 2016 when he is back from his injury; 2016 will be Amir Khan’s year; you will see me in two of the biggest fights in that year.”

A lot can happen over the next few months, and Khan’s statements don’t necessarily mean a fight is likely. Khan previously said that Al Haymon, Mayweather’s promoter, told him that the undefeated boxer wanted a fight with him. A bout between Mayweather and Khan never materialized, and the world’s top boxer will instead face Andre Berto on Sept. 12 in what could be the last fight of his career.

But a fight between Pacquiao and Khan is certainly possible. Since a rematch with Mayweather seems to be off the table and Pacquiao’s already faced Timothy Bradley twice, Khan might be the most logical opponent for him.

If Khan doesn’t fight Pacquiao in the first half of 2016, he could be in line to face fellow Brit Kell Brook. Khan turned down a fight with Brook earlier this year, instead choosing to fight Chris Algieri. In June, Khan claimed that he was looking to fight a bigger name than Brook, but the winner of five consecutive fights has spoken with Eddie Hearn, Brooks promoter, about a potential bout.

“Eddie sent me a text and I invited him to Bolton,” Khan said. “We had a meeting at my office and we discussed everything for a potential fight against Kell Brook in 2016.

“I have made it clear to Eddie that I want this fight to be a big fight worldwide, not just in the UK. I told him Kell needs to fight a couple of big names and beat them, obviously. That will make our fight even bigger.”

Brook defeated Frankie Gavin in May to defend the IBF title and improve his record to 35-0. Khan beat Algieri one day before Brook won his fight.

It's also possible that Pacquiao and Brook could square off in 2016. Camps for the two boxers reportedly had informal discussions just prior to Pacquiao's surgery.