Floyd Mayweather's next fight on September 12 is looking like it will be against Andre Berto, with the fight taking place on network TV (CBS) rather than pay-per-view. While the deal isn't totally done, TMZ is reporting that it's close, and that while Mayweather, 38, is still talking to other opponents in case Berto doesn't sign, the fight is likely to happen.
Berto (30-3, 23 KO) has not been particularly well-received as an opponent for Mayweather (48-0, 26 KO), to say the least, but most reaction seems to asterisk it with something along the lines of, "Well, at least it's not on pay-per-view." This is nothing more than a stay-busy fight for Mayweather, being framed as a fight to give back to fans who spent $99.99 to watch his May 2 fight with Manny Pacquiao, which did not receive rave reviews once the event was over.
Mayweather's team may simply feel that there's just not a great market out there for another PPV fight right now, particularly with a dearth of qualified PPV-level opponents available for the bout, or at least a dearth if you cross out Amir Khan and Keith Thurman.
Berto, 31, is a former paper titlist at 147 pounds, who is 3-3 in his last six fights dating back to 2011. His losses to Victor Ortiz and Robert Guerrero set up those fighters for bouts with Mayweather in 2011 and 2013.