The greatest boxer of the modern age will bring the curtain down on his remarkable career when he fights Andre Berto in Las Vegas. Mayweather’s dynasty is already well-set, but he will seek to emboss it when he attempts victory number 49, tying him with former heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano, who retired undefeated after 49 fights.
Mayweather’s last outing, the Fight of the Century against Manny Pacquiao in May, broke viewing records for boxing on the World of Champions.
With a career characterised by superfights, overt showings of extravagant wealth and excesses outside the ring, Mayweather is a cross-cultural superstar. Whether or not he is the greatest boxer of all time, as he proclaims, is a matter for the public to decide. What is less arguable is his standing as the richest sportsman on earth and his status as the most marketable boxer the sport has ever known.
