Boxing star Amir Khan will be BoxNation’s special guest analyst for Floyd Mayweather’s final fight against Andre Berto and has backed his stablemate to cause a ‘big surprise’.
‘The Channel of Champions’ will be showing the legendary Mayweather’s last outing exclusively live in the UK, with Khan making up a knowledgeable trio of on-air talent which also includes charismatic presenter Steve Bunce and two-weight world champion Steve Collins.
The star-studded guest list will see Irish hero Collins, who has shared the ring with some of Britain’s biggest names including Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn, now sharing the couch with another in Khan as they bring BoxNation subscribers their unique and privileged insight.
28-year-old Khan was in the running to face the undefeated Mayweather this Saturday night but was left at the altar after the pound-for-pound king opted to face the hard-hitting Berto instead.
The two-time world champion though, who trains with Berto, is giving his full backing to his stablemate and thinks Floyd 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 and claim the WBC and WBA welterweight world titles.
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.
Mayweather v Berto / Groves v Jack is live on BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD, Virgin 525 and TalkTalk 415) this Saturday night at 1am. Visit boxnation.com to subscribe.
