Mayweather can equal the 49 fights undefeated that Rocky Marciano achieved and Haitan-American Berto is the man standing in his way
Andre Berto tweeted a picture of Eddie Murphy, grinning ear to ear, with the words 'Yes! It is my birthday!' to celebrate turning 32 on Monday.
It's easy to see why he's so happy because this week all his birthdays and Christmases will be rolled into one.
Berto will pocket a career-best purse of over £2million on Saturday for playing the role, as many see it, of fall guy for Floyd Mayweather Junior as he equals Rocky Marciano's 49-0 record.
Berto is ignoring the snipers and is determined to enjoy his moment in the spotlight after a lifetime of graft to get here.
Born in Florida to Haitian parents, Berto was taught boxing by his dad because he was bullied at school.
He had a successful amateur career, winning bronze at the 2003 World Championships.
He was tipped for glory at the 2004 Olympics, but was booted out of the qualifiers for the US team when he threw an opponent.
Determined to compete in Athens, he fought for Haiti, only to lose in the first round.
He turned professional later that year in December and reeled off 26 straight wins.
In June 2008, he won the vacant WBC welterweight title against Miguel Angel Rodriguez and successfully defended it against Steve Forbes and Ricky Hatton-victims Luis Collazo and Juan Urango before losing it to Victor Ortiz in April 2011.
Although he bounced back to win the IBF crown in his next fight, he could not rescale his previous heights and lost his next two contests against Robert Guerrero and Jesus Soto Karass.
Berto was badly affected by the 2010 earthquake in his parents' homeland, which killed some of his relatives and friends, and stopped boxing to go and help.
He cares passionately about his ancestral land and founded the Berto Dynasty Foundation to raise money for the country's many impoverished people.
His career was also derailed when he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in 2012 and again in 2013 when he needed major shoulder surgery, which put him out for a year.
He is hardly at the point in his career where he can worry Mayweather and his trainer Virgil Hunter admits he is not sure if he has fully recovered from the mental and physical setbacks of the last few years.
Berto does not care and said: "I don't care about the critics. They won't be in the ring with us. I'm in my best shape ever. I'm bringing speed and power. I have better athletic ability than any of Floyd's previous opponents.
"Right now in Floyd's career there would be criticism whoever he picked, coming after his win over Pacquiao.
"Me, I've had haters since I was in school and dealt with it."
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