Floyd Mayweather Jr. Should Not Underestimate Andre Berto: Bernard Hopkins

Bernard Hopkins thinks that the pressure is on Floyd Mayweather Jr. in his upcoming fight against Andre Berto. The veteran boxer also stated that the undefeated American must not take Berto lightly as the challenger could pull off the surprise in the bout set later this year.

“It ain’t what Berto is expected to do or not do, it’s what Mayweather do or don’t do. Mayweather is now in position to be his [own worst enemy] if he’s not taking Berto seriously,” Hopkins said to boxingscene.com.

“The burden is not on Berto, he has nothing to lose. But if Floyd Mayweather is not respecting who he’s facing, he becomes more vulnerable. As they say, the defense attorney doesn’t have the burden of proof—it’s the DA. Look at the DA as being Berto and Mayweather being the defense in defending his legacy, his title and his ‘0.’”

Hopkins specifically mentioned the fight between Mike Tyson and Buster Douglas in 1990 when the challenger, Douglas, knocked out the more popular Tyson, despite being a 42-to-1 underdog entering the fight.

Mayweather is a huge favorite against the unheralded Berto in their upcoming fight on Sept. 12, 2015 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The bout will be for the World Boxing Council World welterweight title and World Boxing Association Super World welterweight title. Mayweather, who is undefeated in 48 pro bouts, is coming off a win over Manny Pacquiao last May, while Berto, who has a record of 30-3-0, is coming off victories over Steve Upsher Chambers and Josesito Lopez.