REUTERS/Steve Marcus
Berto is a former title-holder, but is just 3-3 in his past six fights and is not considered a serious threat to defeat Mayweather. The fact that Mayweather would even consider fighting an opponent such as Berto has fueled speculation he's only willing to consider opponents he knows he'd easily defeat - that way he doesn't risk losing his undefeated record.
One Twitter user emphasized the disparity between the fighters by posting a picture showing how each undergo cryotherapy:
@FloydMayweather uses a 40k machine for cryotheraphy.@AndreBerto uses a trashcan in bathroom w/ice#MayweatherBerto pic.twitter.com/J1rVFS83qH
- Romney for the HOF (@R_Munny) July 20, 2015
When Mayweather first dropped Berto's name, along with Karim Mayfield, at a press conference he was met with widespread disbelief. Reporters were so taken back that Mayweather would even consider fighting Berto that ESPN's boxing expert Dan Rafael originally thought he was joking.
Floyd said he'll fight Berto or Mayfield next. I asked if he was kidding. He seemed to be serious. Said Pacquiao fought Algieri so why not?
- Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) June 21, 2015
They say Floyd Mayweather vs Andre Berto will be free on CBS. Man they should PAY US to watch this mismatch! What an extremely bad fight.
- Marvin Hagler (@MarvinHagIer) July 24, 2015