Floyd Mayweather Accused by Andre Berto of 'Lame' Telephone Harassment

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been accused by potential opponent Andre Berto of harassing him on the telephone, as bad blood continues to build between the two fighters.

The 31-year-old Berto has been named by Mayweather as a potential rival in his next fight, expected to take place in September, with Money looking to take his professional record to 49-0.

Berto has now stirred the pot, accusing Mayweather of being the culprit in a string of "lame" harassing phone calls he has received of late, per TMZ Sports (h/t Boxing Scene): 

"

I know it's him on the other line. I can hear him breathing on the other end of the phone. Stop getting people to call my phone bro, and asking me about this person and that person. Don't do that s**t. That s**t is lame, it's corny. He has too much money for that.

"

According to the report, Berto believes Mayweather is upset with him as he is friends with Floyd's ex-fiancee Shantel Jackson and her new boyfriend Nelly.

Whatever the situation, it seems there is some history between the pair, which may make for some fireworks if they were to meet in the ring, as the pound-for-pound king recently suggested, per Sky Sports.

However, while Berto (30-3) is an exciting fighter, and has had 23 knockouts in his professional career, he does not seem to be a worthy opponent for Mayweather, as alluded to by ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael:

There has been much hype surrounding Mayweather's next bout following his high-profile defeat of Manny Pacquiao back in May, and for many, Berto would not represent a significant challenge.

However, Berto himself has different ideas and believes should he meet Mayweather in the ring he could seriously challenge the American, per TMZ Sports (h/t Boxing Scene):

"

If we gonna fight, we gonna fight. If we not, take my name out your mouth brotha. For sure it would be a good fight. I'm one of the only guys who can match him speed for speed and everyone knows me for having explosive power, It's going to be a lot better than that Pacquiao s**t you had. 

"

Along with Berto, Mayweather has named Karim Mayfield as a potential opponent, though many people believe these are not serious suggestions from the WBC, WBA and WBO welterweight champion, per FightHype.com:

However, former champion Shane Mosley is excited by the prospect:

Should Mayweather and Berto meet, it would surely be a prickly occasion given recent comments and the reported history between the pair.

But Floyd would be a huge favourite, and he would no doubt cruise to another victory and set up the potential for a 50th undefeated fight in his storied career.