Amir Khan will be BoxNation’s has publicly backed his stablemate, Andre Berto, to cause a ‘big surprise’ when he meets Floyd Mayweather on Saturday night.
28-year-old Khan was in the running to face the undefeated Mayweather but was left at the altar after the pound-for-pound king opted to face Berto instead.
Despite this, Khan is giving his full backing to his stablemate and thinks Mayweather will be in for a shock if he has underestimated the all-action Haitian.
“It would be foolish for Floyd to go in there thinking that Berto is a pushover or an easy fight. I know how motivated Berto is for this fight and have seen all the graft he’s done in the gym during previous camps so he’s going to bring it on Saturday, no doubt,” said Khan.
“Floyd has been around a long time and has the experience so I don’t think he’s going to underestimate Berto. But you never know though, after Pacquiao there’s a chance he could go in there with less motivation but he says it’s his last fight so that will push him.
“If Floyd does overlook Berto then he’s in for a big surprise because Berto has the power to hurt him. I think no matter what, Berto is going to leave it all in the ring and will make sure he gives the fans an exciting fight,” he said.
The Olympic silver medalist believes that Berto has to make the fight as uneasy for the 38-year-old Mayweather as possible if he hopes to upset the odds.
Berto’s speed, and esteemed trainer Virgil Hunter’s tactics, are also keys to winning the fight.
“Floyd is used to guys pressing him and looking to push him back, and to a certain extent that has caused him problems like in the first Maidana fight but he’s very good at making adjustments and dealing with that,” Khan said.
“Berto will need to do bits of that in the fight but also use his speed at the right times. He’s quicker than Maidana and that will be an advantage for him because Floyd hasn’t been in with many quick guys in recent years and as you age your reflexes aren’t as sharp.
“I know Virgil will have a few game plans for the fight because against Mayweather you can’t just have one plan – you have to go in there with several and you need to know when to use and implement them.
“I know Berto is going to give Floyd a tougher fight than most people are expecting,” Khan said.
The bout represents Mayweather’s 49th fight and after a glittering 19-year-career, the five-weight 12-time world champion claims that this will be his last matchup before hanging up the gloves.
Khan, however, is unconvinced that Mayweather will call it a day, especially if he equals Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 record.
“I know Floyd has talked about this being his last fight but I can’t see it,” Khan said.
“To beat Marciano’s record when it is touching distance away isn’t an easy thing to walk away from. If he gets the win on Saturday then I’m sure we’ll see him in the ring next year.
“He’s had a great career and will want to end it with a bang, and what better way than beating Marciano’s record,” said Khan.
