Mayfield states case for call as Mayweather’s next opponent

Reporters figured Floyd Mayweather Jr. was kidding a few weeks ago when he dropped the names of Andre Berto and Karim Mayfield as potential opponents for his Sept. 12 fight at the MGM Grand Garden on Showtime Pay Per View.

Berto and Mayfield didn’t laugh at the suggestion. They relished it.

Both want to grab a big payday to fight Mayweather, and they’re taking seriously the mere mention of their names as a possible opponent. When Mayweather makes an announcement in the coming days, Mayfield hopes to hear his name.

“I’m ready to fight anyone anywhere,” Mayfield said last week. “The fact that the great Floyd Mayweather has mentioned me as someone he wants to fight in September is music to my ears. It would be an honor to fight Floyd in Las Vegas.”

Mayfield (19-2-1, 11 knockouts) said he, not Berto, would be a more worthy adversary for Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs).

“No disrespect to Andre Berto, he’s a good fighter and we have a mutual respect for one another, but he’s not as durable as I am,” Mayfield said. “Berto has two losses against opponents Floyd has already defeated. I’ve never been dropped, battered or bruised in any of my fights.”

Berto has lost to Robert Guerrero and Victor Ortiz, who both were defeated by Mayweather.

Mayfield said as far as he’s concerned, he also should be ahead of Amir Khan. Many boxing observers think Khan ultimately will be Mayweather’s opponent.

“Every time I sparred Amir Khan at Virgil Hunter’s gym, I put hands on him so bad Virgil had to stop the sparring sessions,” Mayfield said. “The man has no chin, and he wouldn’t last 12 rounds (with Mayweather). He’s definitely the safer route.”

■ HOF COMMITMENTS — The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame has received several commitments for its induction ceremony Aug. 8 at Caesars Palace.

Twenty-one members in 10 categories will be inducted, and among those to confirm they will attend are Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Felix Trinidad, Marco Antonio Barrera, Roger Mayweather, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Lee Samuels, Pat and Dawn Barry and Dr. Robert Voy.

The Hall is waiting for The Greatest — Muhammad Ali — to confirm he will attend.

■ GOLDEN GLOVES — Andres Cortes of Henderson lost Friday in the lightweight quarterfinals at the Golden Gloves of Vovjodina in Serbia. Cortes was beaten by Yanis Mehah of France, 2-1. Cortes defeated Vladimir Pylchtin of Russia 3-0 in his first fight. Las Vegan Augie Sanchez is coaching the USA squad.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.