Andre Berto: Next in Line

With all of the Mayweather-Mosley talk… with Manny Pacquiao campaigning for Congress in the Philippines and Miguel Cotto shanking hands in Yankee Stadium… with all that Antonio Margarito has managed to stir up with his looming return, and Pauli Malignaggi’s Twitter trash talk… HBO’s “24/7″ program premiering tonight, and the May 1st hype pumped on ‘roids like the PDA’s the Olympic-Style Drug Officials tested Shane & Floyd for on tonight’s series premier episode…. 

…amidst all of this, did we somehow ‘forget’ about Andre Berto? 

If so, he reintroduced himself to the masses in explosive fashion with a devastating Knock Out victory over Carlos Quintana.

He’s shown great character in his humanitarian efforts as he forewent his scheduled January 30th fight versus Shane Mosley to volunteer in his native Haiti… tonight, it was Quintana who was in need of rescue and relief efforts as Berto seemingly picked him apart in route to maintaining his undefeated streak.

ESPN’s Dan Rafael’s full report here//
HBO.com’s report//

An Emotional Withdraw: Berto turns his focus to Haiti recovery efforts.

It was announced today that Andre Berto has decided to withdraw from his scheduled January 30th bout with Shane Mosley due to “physical & emotional exhaustion” suffered by both he and his family in wake of the tragedy in his native Haiti.  Berto, a Haitian-American who represented the small island country in the 2004 Olympics, plans to focus his efforts and energy to support those suffering as a result of last week’s earthquake which has claimed thousands of lives, including 8 members of his own family.

In a statement released today, he goes on express the emotional toll the devastation in his home country has had on him.  “Since the 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti on Tuesday evening, I have been focusing on my family and the Haitian people who are facing an inconceivable battle for survival while still trying to continue to prepare for an opportunity I have dreamt of since childhood.”  He goes on to say: “I lost several family members to the earthquake and, after two days without word, was relieved to learn that my sister, Naomi, and her daughter, Jessica, survived, but were left homeless. I have seen the pain in my parents’ eyes as they attempt to understand what has happened to our homeland and recognize a place they once called home.”

Read Jemele Hill’s full article here, at ESPN Boxing.

Also, read Dan Rafael’s report at ESPN.
 
  
T.J. Breeden
www.iblmedia.com

Mosley – Berto preview: “Back to the Future”

A the top of 2009, amidst the conclusion of Andre Berto’s business with Luis Collazo, Mosley was pressed to comment on his thoughts regarding a possible fight with the interim WBC Champion.  With Manny Pacquiao’s acceptance to a full-time position atop the Welterweight division (and Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s return then looming), Shane was very careful not to prematurely align himself with Berto, which would eliminate him from discussions for a Spring 2010 mega pay-day.  This of course didn’t prevent HBO from asking: “What are your thoughts on Andre Berto?”  With seemingly a hint of hesitation, he says something that got a lot of fight fans curious: “He reminds me a lot of myself… it would be like ‘me’ fighting ‘me’!!” 

 

 “Prepare yourself Marty McFly…. we’re going back to the future!”

 

The obvious cannot be denied; Andre Berto’s power, speed, technique, and willingness to ’BANG’ are reminiscent to the Shane Mosley who began his pro career 38-0… and if this fight represents Berto’s shot at the spotlight (as did De la Hoya represent Shane’s trophy win in 2000), then fight fans can expect a fight that’s worth their HBO monthly subscription.  Yes; Shane is 38 years old, and conventional wisdom suggests that eventually the ghost of ‘Winky’ Wright’s “peak-a-boo” style will take its toll on his ability to slip punches… but then again, Antonio Margarito just sent out a tweet, and ’he’s wondering if Javier Capetillo wrapped Shane’s hands with bricks too!!’

 

 

Not to be overlooked, this is undoubtedly the biggest fight of Berto’s career!  A win here puts him in line for $7-8M minimums with Miguel Cotto who,  is still in the conversation (and his loss to PacMan will be looked at with less scrutiny if the papers are signed and Mayweather takes his 1st ’L’ in March), Tim Bradley (if/when he moves up in weight), Juan Manuel Marquez, maybe Paul Williams, Pacquiao, or “Money.”  On the other hand, a win for Shane guarantees him a shot at the winner of the Pacquiao-Mayweather sweepstakes in the fall of 2010, and his first legitimate mega fight since his BALCO laced win over De la Hoya in the ’03 rematch.

The match-up possibilities are endless, but first Sugar must crank the Delorean and travel ‘back’ to face someone with an eerie resemblance to Vernon Forest… someone who’s hungry, ferocious, fast, powerful, and unfazed by Shane’s legacy.  Berto’s eyes are fixated on the future, but if Mosley’s dreams of Pacquiao or Mayweather are to come true, he’s got to channel Michael J. Fox and prepare to be introduced to his past, and perhaps future self.
  

T.J. Breeden
www.iblmedia.com