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Mayweather announces Sept. 12 fight with Andre Berto at MGM Grand

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L.E. Baskow

Floyd Mayweather Jr. lands a punch on Manny Pacquiao on Saturday, May 2, 2015.

Tue, Aug 4, 2015 (2:45 p.m.)

Mayweather-Pacquiao Fight

Floyd Mayweather Jr. connects to the chin of Manny Pacquiao late in their fight Saturday, May 2, 2015, at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Launch slideshow »

It’s official.

After weeks of speculation, Floyd Mayweather Jr. announced his next fight today on social media, naming Andre Berto as his opponent for a Sept. 12 welterweight bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“September 12, 2015 for number 49. Come be part of the history. Book your hotel and flights now,” Mayweather posted on Twitter.

The story, if you believe Mayweather, is that this will be the undefeated boxer’s last fight. The Las Vegas resident is in the final fight of a six-fight contract with Showtime, which will televise the fight on pay-per-view.

Mayweather (48-0) took a unanimous decision in May against Manny Pacquiao during his most recent appearance. Mayweather earned more than $200 million and set a record with 4.4 million pay-per-view buys. It was also the largest gate in Nevada history at $72.2 million.

Some suspect this won’t be the last we see of Mayweather, who could be tempted to go for a 50th victory in the spring at the new MGM/AEG arena being built behind New York-New York.

Berto, whom Mayweather hand picked as his opponent, could be considered an odd selection. The 31-year-old Berto has lost three of his last six fights and shouldn't provide as big of a challenge as other rumored opponents: Amir Khan, Shawn Porter or Keith Thurman.

Oddsmakers don't expect the fight with Berto to be close. At the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook, Mayweather opened today a minus-4,000 favorite, meaning you'd have to wager $4,000 on Mayweather to win $100. A Mayweather victory would bring his record to 49-0, equaling Rocky Marciano's undefeated record.

“I’m ready to get back in the ring on Sept. 12 and prove again to the whole world why I’m ‘The Best Ever,’” Mayweather in a statement. “I always bring my A-game and this fight against Andre Berto is no exception. He’s a young, strong fighter who is hungry to take down the best. Forty-eight have tried before and on September 12, I’m going to make it 49.”

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21

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