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Andre Berto talks about Floyd Mayweather’s return, rematch with Pacquiao and financial rumors

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Andre Berto lands a punch on Floyd Mayweather during their 2015 welterweight fight in Las Vegas

Andre Berto reacted to speculations about Floyd Mayweather’s possible return to the ring, the debate surrounding the rematch with Manny Pacquiao and rumors about the undefeated champion’s finances.

Berto knows Mayweather better than most, and their relationship goes back decades. The former two-time welterweight champion also faced Mayweather in the last professional fight of the superstar’s career in 2015.

More than a decade later, Mayweather is back in the headlines ahead of his confirmed September rematch with Manny Pacquiao.

The return of Floyd Mayweather

Speaking exclusively to WBN, Berto believes Mayweather’s skills and in-ring IQ will still allow him to compete under the right circumstances.

“Given Mayweather’s situation, it looks like he’s still trying to stay in shape,” Berto told World Boxing News about Mayweather’s performance at the Greek exhibition before his fight with Manny Pacquiao in September.

“A lot of people are trying to understand the reasons for his return. There’s a lot of speculation. But he’s got the name, he’s got the credibility, and I believe that as long as he stays in his circle to fight the older Pacquiao or fight someone else who isn’t trying to push or pressure that older gas tank, I think he should be fine because he still has an amazing boxing IQ and can get away with a lot.”

Esther Lin

Discussions about Mayweather’s return have resurfaced following the confirmation of a long-discussed rematch with Pacquiao this year.

Pacquiao has already insisted that the event will be a true professional competition and not an exhibition, telling the media that it is a “real fight or nothing” as contradictions around the event persist.

The Filipino icon later released a statement clarifying that the contract he signed was intended to be a fully sanctioned professional fight and not an exhibition event, addressing what he described as misinformation about the fight.

Pacquiao rematch at stake

For Berto, the most crucial factor in selling the fight to fans may be whether Mayweather is willing to risk his celebrated undefeated record.

“Yes, I think that’s something that will really sell this fight,” Berto said.

“If he’s going to put this record out. Fans don’t really care that much about exhibitions, I mean they’ll still watch, but they want to know there’s something bigger at stake.”

“It’s something that Mayweather holds on to strongly, it’s what sets him apart from the rest and if he says it, it’s something that everyone will want to watch.”

Whether Mayweather will risk a 50-0 record will be confirmed this week after pressure from Pacquiao.

Money gossip

Berto was also asked about reports suggesting that Mayweather may have spent a significant portion of his earnings on outstanding tax returns and claims of unpaid bills.

The former champion gave a measured answer, drawing on his long-standing relationship with Mayweather.

“It’s a façade for Money Mayweather,” Berto said.

Floyd Mayweather and Andre Berto duel before the fight in September 2015
Show time

“For as long as I’ve known him, since he was fifteen, he’s always been a brilliant guy, and as you get bigger and make more money, your expenses will get higher and higher.”

“He takes pride in being the boss and paying for everything. But when you stop fighting and the income stops coming in, you start to feel it.”

So I hope that doesn’t happen because it would be a depressed story.”

Berto remains closely associated with Mayweather and is ranked 49th in the undefeated champion’s original professional career.

Mayweather defeated Berto by unanimous decision, equaling Rocky Marciano’s record, before announcing his retirement from the sport. He later came back to defeat Conor McGregor and reach the magical 50.

It remains to be seen whether Pacquiao will get a chance to beat Mayweather to 50-1.


About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

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Jeff Mayweather Compares Floyd Mayweather and Terence Crawford: Crawford is a Better Puncher

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Jeff Mayweather Compares Floyd Mayweather and Terence Crawford: "Crawford is a Better Puncher"

Both Floyd Mayweather and Terence Crawford hung up the gloves with undefeated records, and Mayweather’s uncle and former trainer Jeff Mayweather has assessed how a battle between the pair, in their primes, would play out.

Mayweather retired as a five-division world champion with a legendary 50-0 undefeated record, defeating the likes of Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao in a career that will be spoke about for decades to come.

Meanwhile, Crawford retired last year after becoming the first post-war three-division undisputed world champion, walking away from the sport with his unbeaten record intact after 42 pro contests and a career best victory over Canelo Alvarez.

Discussing a fantasy fight between the two superstars with Sean ZittelJeff Mayweather shared his love for ‘Bud’ but maintained that he would fancy ‘TBE’ to come out on top.

“It’s one of them fights where fans would probably be split down the middle. Of course, I would choose my nephew [to win] but Terence Crawford is a damn good fighter.

“I don’t just like him as a fighter, I like him as a person, I like the way that he carries himself, what he stands for and what he represents. So I like a lot about Terence Crawford.”

The 62-year-old then went on to admit that Crawford may have been a better puncher than Mayweather, but favoured the elusiveness of his nephew over the aggression of the Omaha-born southpaw.

“If the fight happened and Floyd was in his prime, I think that Floyd would beat him. I think that Terence fights and gets hit a whole lot, I have never seen a fight where Floyd got hit a whole lot.

“Terence Crawford was a better puncher than Floyd, I think, so it’s a fight that either one could win but I’m going with my nephew!”

Crawford has been linked to a comeback in recent dayswith fight fans keen to see the 39-year-old return to action and face unified super-welterweight world champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.

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Oscar De La Hoya Raises Concerns Over Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn Final KO Verdict

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"Oscar De La Hoya Raises Concerns Over Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn Final KO Verdict"

Tonight in Las Vegas, Ryan Garcia puts his WBC welterweight world title on the lines against Conor Benn. Garcia’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, sees the fight ending inside the distance.

Benn is fighting at welterweight for the first time in four years and, despite hitting 146lbs on the scales, most in the sport believe dropping back down from his two middleweight bouts last year will have too much of an effect in the ring for him to spring the upset.

Garcia is fighting his third fight at the weight – he lost to Rolando Romero in 2025 in an underwhelming performance but bounced back with a disciplined display this year to beat Mario Barrios for the belt.

Speaking to Carl FrochDe La Hoya also focused on the Brit’s weight cut when giving his final verdict on how the fight plays out, ultimately picking his charge by KO.

“It seems like Conor Benn knows how to handle the pressure, he knows how to handle the fans and be in that environment. He can fight with fighters who are strong and coming at you with combinations and pressure.

“The only thing that concerns me is the weight. It reminds me of when I fought Bernard Hopkins at 160 and then tried to come back to 147 to fight Manny Pacquiao. I was depleted. I was a dead man walking. So, that’s my only concern.

“I think Ryan’s a big puncher. He’s in tremendous shape. I don’t think Conor Benn is going to be able to take his punches. I think the fact that Conor has come down to 147 is gonna take its toll, and I feel, as the fight goes on, it’s gonna get worse for him.

“So I have my guy Ryan Garcia probably knocking him out or stopping him. But all credit to Connor … I’m just speaking facts here. Ryan Garcia is in his weight class … Conor Benn knowing that his body is depleted is gonna weigh [on him].”

Both Garcia and Benn have promised to end the fight early, and the styles suggest that it will catch fire relatively early on. If Garcia comes out on top, he opens the door to major unifications against the likes of Teofimo Lopez and a rematch with Devin Haney.

Should Benn upset the odds and have his hand raised, he has made it clear that he will vacate the belt and move up in weight.

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Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn: Start Time, Live Results & Fight Updates

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"Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn: Start Time, Live Results & Fight Updates"

Las Vegas hosts Garcia’s first WBC welterweight title defense, with US and UK viewers facing very different fight-night hours.

Fight Prediction

Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn

Ryan Garcia50%

Conor Benn50%

Voting open • Opening line: 50%–50%

Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn are expected to make their ring walks at approximately 11 p.m. ET on Saturday / 4 a.m. BST at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Garcia defends his WBC welterweight title on September 12, with Benn challenging for a world championship for the first time.


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The main card starts at 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST on September 13. Preliminary action begins at 5 pm ET / 10 pm BST.

The projected Garcia-Benn ring-walk time can move depending on the length of the earlier fights and stoppages.

Where Is Garcia vs Benn Streaming?

Paramount+ streams Garcia-Benn live in the United States. UK and Ireland viewers can watch the event LIVE on DAZN PPV.

Garcia enters his first defense after outpointing Mario Barrios to capture the WBC belt in February. Benn secured his championship opportunity by beating Regis Prograis on points in April.

The challenger will have to cross dangerous ground to get his work done.

Benn wants to dig to the body and make Garcia exchange. Garcia has the counterpunching to punish a reckless approach, particularly with the left hook when Benn squares his feet coming forward.

Garcia can make Benn pay for forcing his way inside, while Benn needs to work without leaving himself planted in front of the champion after his combinations.

Jai Opetaia against Noel Mikaelian provides the cruiserweight co-feature. The card also includes Jose Ramirez against Alexis Rocha, Mark Magsayo against Andres Cortes and Sean Garcia against Abraham Morales.

For viewers primarily interested in the main event, 11 pm ET / 4 am BST is the current approximate target. Anyone wanting the complete card should be watching from 5 pm ET / 10 pm BST.

Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn Start Time And Live Results
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 11: Conor Benn poses on the scale at the official weigh-in at Meta Apex on September 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa Boxing/Zuffa Boxing via Getty Images)
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn Start Time And Live Results
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 11: Ryan Garcia poses on the scale at the official weigh-in at Meta Apex on September 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa Boxing/Zuffa Boxing via Getty Images)
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn Start Time And Live Results
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 11: during the Garcia v Benn ceremonial weigh-ins at T-Mobile Paramount+ Plaza on September 11, 2026. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa Boxing)
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn Start Time And Live Results
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 11: during the Garcia v Benn ceremonial weigh-ins at T-Mobile Paramount+ Plaza on September 11, 2026. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa Boxing)
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn Start Time And Live Results
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 11: during the Garcia v Benn ceremonial weigh-ins at T-Mobile Paramount+ Plaza on September 11, 2026. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa Boxing)
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn Start Time And Live Results
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 11: during the Garcia v Benn ceremonial weigh-ins at T-Mobile Paramount+ Plaza on September 11, 2026. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa Boxing)
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn Start Time And Live Results
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 11: during the Garcia v Benn ceremonial weigh-ins at T-Mobile Paramount+ Plaza on September 11, 2026. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa Boxing)
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn Start Time And Live Results
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 11: during the Garcia v Benn ceremonial weigh-ins at T-Mobile Paramount+ Plaza on September 11, 2026. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa Boxing)
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn Start Time And Live Results
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 11: during the Garcia v Benn ceremonial weigh-ins at T-Mobile Paramount+ Plaza on September 11, 2026. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa Boxing)

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Last Updated on 2026/09/12 at 8:31 AM

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