Andre Berto: A New Title, The Same Desire

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

By Jake Donovan - There�s an old saying in boxing that suggests a fighter improves by 25% the moment he gets a major title around the waist.

Don�t tell that to undefeated welterweight Andre Berto. For the 2004 Olympian, it�s still about progress. It�s about remaining undefeated in convincing fashion while building up your name value. And if he has his way on both September 27 and in the future, it�s still about staying as active as possible, even at the top level.

All that�s changed is not what he brings to the ring, but more specifically, what he carries.

�It�s still a surreal feeling, even three months later,?says Berto of picking up a vacant alphabet title after stopping Miguel �Miki?Martinez this past June in Memphis. �I had to sit down and think about. I take on more responsibility now, but I�m still working just as hard as when I was aiming for a title.?[details]

[Migs]

Dude you gotta respect Berto. He's a hungry, humble champion. He reminds me a little bit of the lightweight Mayweather when he used to be hungry but without the arrogance. I hope he continues to stay hungry and doesn't fall into that mentality as his popularity grows. Most of all, after his fight with Forbes, I hope he starts to face top ten opposition in WW division. I'd like to see this kid get on top. His style is very pleasing to watch. He's a great boxer with above average power and I like that he doesn't look past people. Good for boxing overall. I'm more excited about his fight this Saturday than I am with the main event. I hope he puts on a dominating performance. I don't count Forbes out though. He's crafty in his own right.

[sportsplato]

This doesn't change the fact that he won a belt without ever fighting a top-10 WW. He is as guided as they come. He has a good attitude, but he will get touched up when he fights someone that isn't there to make him look good. Any top-5 WW would whoop him. Can't wait for him to step up.

[krispy kreme]

At least he is stepping up his competition in fighting Forbes. Almost everyone he has faced can't match him in talent or skill, but Forbes is a solid fighter. After this he needs to seriously go and fight the elite welterweights.

[The Slickster]

Berto should concentrate on getting better and fighting more.
He is ranked number 10 or 9 but Ring magazine at 147 but ALL those guys ahead of him would beat him NO PROBLEM.....and some below him too.
He has very good boxing skills but doesnt have the experience yet to hang with the big boys.
Actually I see 140 being a better division for him...he is nothing at 147....yes he has the WBC belt but did he really earn it?
No.

[T-97]

I like Berto. But, he isn't a legit champ yet imo, he won a vacant title and never fought a top 10 ranked Welter. He needs to start stepping his competition up now, and Forbes is a step in the right direction. Forbes may not have the power to hurt Berto, but he has solid skills, good defense and a solid chin. If Berto could drop and/or stop Forbes that would be a big statement, considering that De La Hoya couldn't.

After this he needs to start fighting Top 10 Welters though, maybe someone like Collazo or Judah, who while not being the best are still good. And would be better than the guys Berto has been fighting so far.

[anonymousboxing]

Berto should concentrate on getting better and fighting more.
He is ranked number 10 or 9 but Ring magazine at 147 but ALL those guys ahead of him would beat him NO PROBLEM.....and some below him too.
He has very good boxing skills but doesnt have the experience yet to hang with the big boys.
Actually I see 140 being a better division for him...he is nothing at 147....yes he has the WBC belt but did he really earn it?
No.

Concentrate on getting better?!?
Did you even read the article? It's the reason he's fighting Forbes.

He should be FIGHTING MORE????

I don't think some people realize how short of a time Berto's built his professional career.
IT'S BEEN LESS THAN 4 YEARS SINCE HE LEFT AMATEUR LEVEL FIGHTS!!!!!!!!! IN TWO YEARS HE FOUGHT 15 TIMES!!!!

If you or ANYONE can't see how smart he is for his efforts of becoming well-rounded, then you're losing perspective.
I'm not talking to people who's opinion out weights their boxing knowledge.
I'm talking to TRUE boxing fans.
Watch Berto's whole career, and see if your opinion doesn't change about him. You'll see good balance and footwork - excellent combinations, with a killer frequent uppercut, speed to slip hooks, and devastating counter punches. He's even on Teddy Atlas' short top talent list.

Berto hasn't proved himself because he hasn't fought who YOU WANT him to fight...that doesn't make him talentless. You're just thinking more about your own entertainment than you are about what Berto's bringing to the WW's.
The ww division is FULL of talent, and he realizes what he's up against. He's doing EVERYTHING he can in preparation for these top dogs, but you write him off and I'd like to hear your logic on this.

You say he doesn't deserve the belt he has?!
When he fought Rodriguez, it was an eliminator bout -
making the winner a manditory for Mayweather.
Berto was heading in MAY'S direction until May retired,
NOW MAY'S RETIREMENT REFLECTS NEGATIVELY ON BERTO?!?!?!?!! BULL!!!!!

And After winning the belt, rather than making a hit list - like typical champs with pride, he's instead paying attention to how he's developing. The route he's taking SAYS NOTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT HIM!!! ON THE CONTRARY, he has a REALISTIC view of himself and sees room for growth on his "fast track" career.
He's not talking trash saying he can take on the whole world - which makes him even more DANGEROUS than boxers with distorted views on themselves. He's not being driven by PRIDE, ARROGANCE, or anything else that destroys boxers careers! Yet he's overated, because he's not fulfilling your expectations of him!? Nah.

IT'S BEEN LESS THAN 4 YEARS - HIS GOAL IS TO FIGHT 4 TIMES A YEAR,
So Enjoy the suspense that's being built, he's heading towards all of them!
Shane, Clottey, Cintron, Marg, and he even acknowledged Cotto.
You say he's not ready for any of them. Well he agrees with you.

I think you went a little far with 140 comment.
Nothing at 147?? This is where your credibility takes a hard hit.
What'd you do? YouTube a couple of his rounds and draw your conclusions?


[IMG]http://i423.***********.com/albums/pp312/anonymousboxing/cotto20.gif?t=1221838066[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i423.***********.com/albums/pp312/anonymousboxing/delamoney.gif[/IMG]

[Migs]

Concentrate on getting better?!?
Did you even read the article? It's the reason he's fighting Forbes.

He should be FIGHTING MORE????

I don't think some people realize how short of a time Berto's built his professional career.
IT'S BEEN LESS THAN 4 YEARS SINCE HE LEFT AMATEUR LEVEL FIGHTS!!!!!!!!! IN TWO YEARS HE FOUGHT 15 TIMES!!!!

If you or ANYONE can't see how smart he is for his efforts of becoming well-rounded, then you're losing perspective.
I'm not talking to people who's opinion out weights their boxing knowledge.
I'm talking to TRUE boxing fans.
Watch Berto's whole career, and see if your opinion doesn't change about him. You'll see good balance and footwork - excellent combinations, with a killer frequent uppercut, speed to slip hooks, and devastating counter punches. He's even on Teddy Atlas' short top talent list.

Berto hasn't proved himself because he hasn't fought who YOU WANT him to fight...that doesn't make him talentless. You're just thinking more about your own entertainment than you are about what Berto's bringing to the WW's.
The ww division is FULL of talent, and he realizes what he's up against. He's doing EVERYTHING he can in preparation for these top dogs, but you write him off and I'd like to hear your logic on this.

You say he doesn't deserve the belt he has?!
When he fought Rodriguez, it was an eliminator bout -
making the winner a manditory for Mayweather.
Berto was heading in MAY'S direction until May retired,
NOW MAY'S RETIREMENT REFLECTS NEGATIVELY ON BERTO?!?!?!?!! BULL!!!!!

And After winning the belt, rather than making a hit list - like typical champs with pride, he's instead paying attention to how he's developing. The route he's taking SAYS NOTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT HIM!!! ON THE CONTRARY, he has a REALISTIC view of himself and sees room for growth on his "fast track" career.
He's not talking trash saying he can take on the whole world - which makes him even more DANGEROUS than boxers with distorted views on themselves. He's not being driven by PRIDE, ARROGANCE, or anything else that destroys boxers careers! Yet he's overated, because he's not fulfilling your expectations of him!? Nah.

IT'S BEEN LESS THAN 4 YEARS - HIS GOAL IS TO FIGHT 4 TIMES A YEAR,
So Enjoy the suspense that's being built, he's heading towards all of them!
Shane, Clottey, Cintron, Marg, and he even acknowledged Cotto.
You say he's not ready for any of them. Well he agrees with you.

I think you went a little far with 140 comment.
Nothing at 147?? This is where your credibility takes a hard hit.
What'd you do? YouTube a couple of his rounds and draw your conclusions?


[IMG]http://i423.***********.com/albums/pp312/anonymousboxing/cotto20.gif?t=1221838066[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i423.***********.com/albums/pp312/anonymousboxing/delamoney.gif[/IMG]

Solid post man. Especially on his actual skill. Those uppercuts are brutal and he lands them with pinpoint precision. Admittedly as he continues to climb the ladder I'm sure he won't be landing those type of shots as frequently. Regardless, he is still dangerous at 147.

[sportsplato]

Berto is a solid fighter who is untested. The key comes to WHEN he decides to step up and against whom. Jermain Taylor looked good as long as he wasn't matched against a puncher. We saw what happened when he was. He got dropped by Cosme Rivera. The curtain will be called on him when he fights a puncher too. I will give him credit as far as his development path, as it has been a lucrative and successful one. But I do think his chin is suspect.

[anonymousboxing]

Solid post man. Especially on his actual skill. Those uppercuts are brutal and he lands them with pinpoint precision. Admittedly as he continues to climb the ladder I'm sure he won't be landing those type of shots as frequently. Regardless, he is still dangerous at 147.

So you've seen it too Migs.

Yea, He opens heads up like pez despensers with those uppercuts!!!lol

You're probably right about not being able to land those types of shots frequently reaching the top talents, which doesn't put a cap or limit to his skills, just means he has some work to do.
Bottom line: Berto's arriving at the PERFECT time.

[IMG]http://i423.***********.com/albums/pp312/anonymousboxing/cotto20.gif?t=1221838066[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i423.***********.com/albums/pp312/anonymousboxing/delamoney.gif[/IMG]