Boxing: Floyd seriously taking underdog Andre Berto

Undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., poses with NBA player Isaiah Thomas, in this Instagram post taken in August 2015. INSTAGRAM SCREENGRAB

WASHINGTON, United States — Floyd Mayweather said Wednesday that he was seriously preparing for his match with Andre Berto, who lost three of his last six fights, and lashed out at critics of the fight set for September 12 in Las Vegas.

Boxing fans and pundits have hit out at the self-styled “Money” and “TBE” (“The Best Ever”) Mayweather’s choice of Berto (30-3), who was cherry-picked ahead of more exciting — and more dangerous — men.

The experts may have written off Berto, 31, but Mayweather insists he is taking his opponent seriously and says he is training harder for the rank outsider than he did for his so-called “fight of the century” against Manny Pacquiao earlier this year.

Mayweather extended his unbeaten run with a unanimous points decision over the Filipino in a disappointing bout.

Underestimating Berto, an aggressive fighter who is likely to be on the front foot against the defensively brilliant Mayweather, would be a dangerous mistake, said the champion.

“He has nothing to lose and when you have a guy that has nothing to lose, that makes him work that much harder,” said Mayweather.

“He’s got a chance to be the top guy in the sport when I’m through… anything can happen (in a fight) so I’m prepared and in top shape, as I’m sure he is.

“But I’m not going to overlook this guy.”

“When you are in my shoes, they are always going to criticize, that comes with the territory,” Mayweather, the highest-earning sportsman in the world, told a conference call with reporters.

“I couldn’t care less. Nobody is forced to watch. Watch if you want to watch, don’t watch if you don’t want to watch. Write about it if you want to write about it, if you don’t want to write about it, don’t.”

The unbeaten pound-for-pound king is taking on the massive underdog in a welterweight world title showdown that has so far failed to capture the public imagination.

The brash American, 38, will make it 49-0 with victory — equaling the record of heavyweight legend Rocky Marciano — and has consistently said he will hang up his gloves afterwards. Few believe him.

Mayweather and Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, said there had been “significant” entertainment possibilities for the champion for when he calls it quits — including three “major” movie offers in the last week alone.

“I’ve been approached on numerous occasions (to act) but I’d rather be behind the scenes. I’ve had my time to shine,” said Mayweather, reiterating Berto would be his last bout and he is having no second thoughts about giving up the fight game. CB