Is this Mayweather's last bash ?

It’s been a remarkable ride for the flamboyant champion, who has redefined what it is to be a sporting superstar: the money, the cars, the women are all part of Mayweather’s super-sized persona.

Mayweather has always backed his swagger up with extraordinary boxing ability. More than half of his opponents were reigning or former world champions when he fought them. He is unrivalled as the sport’s pound-for-pound king.

On Tuesday, he insisted he wouldn’t be tempted to go beyond 49-0, the record held by former heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano.

Much could depend on the outcome of this weekend’s fight, to be broadcast live on SS2/SS6 A from 3am on Sunday.

The wear and tear has begun to tell on the 38-year-old. If Berto manages to rough him up, chances are Mayweather will indeed pack it in. But if Mayweather wins convincingly and, more importantly, feels at his best, his ego might not allow him to walk away just yet.

Berto has been dismissed by just about every expert, but he’s a big puncher who will relish this opportunity against the world’s best. He will come hard at Mayweather and try to mix it up.

Mayweather might be tempted to engage in a tear-up and perhaps even go for a dramatic stoppage to seal the deal on an extraordinary career that has yielded world championships in five weight divisions and the mythical pound-for-pound number one ranking.

When he does finally pack it in, perhaps as soon as this weekend, it will be a momentous moment for boxing, which has never known his like.

The undercard is a compelling one and includes Jhonny Gonzalez against Jonathan Oquendo (super-featherweight, 10 rounds), Badou Jack against George Groves (WBC super-middleweight title, 12 rounds) and Roman Martinez versus Orlando Salido (WBO junior-lightweight title, 12 rounds).

The WBC and WBA welterweight championships will be on the line when Mayweather and Berto do battle.

ANA