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'Tyson Max' Haitian Boxer Andre Berto - It's All About Attitude

Interview by Ronan Keenan: To get to the top you can't let anything repress your ambition. Joe Lieberman is somebody who just won't take "no" for an answer. Having surprisingly lost out on a chance to run for his beloved Democrats at this year's US Senate elections, the veteran politician remained undeterred and reluctantly severed ties with his long-term party to campaign as an independent candidate.

His decision became national news and subsequently, he gained support from both Democrat and Republican factions, enabling him to win re-election in what was an extraordinary event.

Andre Berto showed similar determination two years ago. The Floridian's lifelong goal was to compete at the Olympics, but when he was controversially disqualified at the 2004 US trials his hopes were cruelly shattered.

However, Berto is not one for giving up on a dream and eventually he got to Athens, having been forced to temporally switch is allegiance to Haiti - the birthplace of his parents.

Although he failed to win at the tournament, Berto's participation in the Games, much like Lieberman's campaign, enabled him to receive invaluable exposure. Ultimately, this gave his pro career a tremendous springboard as he was quickly snapped up by prominent promoter Lou DiBella.

The 23-year-old welterweight is now showing an indomitable resolve inside the ring. Only twenty-four months into his career, Berto, 15-0 (13), has quickly established a reputation as an exciting puncher with the potential to be a future star.

At a height of just 5ft 9inch, the thickset prospect is relatively short for a 147lb fighter, but what he lacks in height he makes up for with power. His style is almost Tyson-esque as he refuses to take a backward step while making sure that every punch is laden with ferocity.

Like any hot commodity, Berto has yet to face a semi-threatening opponent in his first 15 outings, but even so, they have been exciting as he has continually looked for a conclusive knockout victory.

To complement his concussive power he also possesses remarkably fast hands for someone so stocky. But perhaps the most impressive quality he has shown is patience. It is a trait that is often ignored by youthful fighters, but Berto never seems to waste a punch, making sure that the quality of his output takes precedence over quantity.

No doubt his intensive sparring sessions with the exceptional Ronald 'Winky' Wright helped him to attain the poise he brings to the ring, but he seems to be mature beyond his years, and as Berto admits, that has always been the way.

"At a really early age my mind frame was different from a lot of kids," said Berto.

"I wasn't just a typical kid who was into running around and playing outside. I had other thoughts. I saw myself being a superstar at something. I was focused very early."

Berto enjoys the fact that the professional game allows him to forget about the amateur ethos of landing more punches than his opponent and instead he can concentrate on connecting with more effective blows.

"Even when I was an amateur I knew I had a professional style," he said.

"I was never into the amateur style of pitty-pat punching. I'm more of a boxer-puncher. I'm not big into jumping in and out and throwing light punches."

Already he is drawing positive reviews from boxing insiders, but having fought such limited competition to date "his last three opponents had 60 losses between them "it's important to refrain from getting overly excited about the Winter Haven, Florida native just yet.

"Berto is young, whacks hard, stays busy and, given the right fights, can make an impact," Claude Abrams, editor of Boxing News told SecondsOut.

"Thus far, though, he's not really been tested to the degree where he's had to dig a little deep and show what he can produce under pressure against a solid adversary. That's usually when I can best evaluate a fighter's potential."

Nonetheless, this Saturday, Berto will be taking a significant step up in competition when he squares off against Miguel Figueroa in the chief-support bout to the Jermain Taylor-Kassim Ouma world title clash in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Figueroa, 24-5-2 (14), is not an opponent to be taken lightly.

"I haven't seen enough of Berto to appreciate his development, but I know Figueroa is a Philly warrior and it shows Berto is starting to get in against tougher competition," said Don Steinberg of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The 28-year-old Figueroa has been beaten by quality fighters such as Joel Casamayor and Daniel Attah, but in 2002 he out-pointed the once highly-rated Israel Cardona and last time out he drew with the talented Larry Mosley.

So this weekend should give observers a better insight into the true potential of Berto, but Tim Smith of the New York Daily News and SecondsOut has always been a keen admirer of the unbeaten puncher.

"From the time I saw him in the amateurs, I thought Berto would be a good pro," said Smith.

"He has power in both hands and isn't afraid to engage. I think his power may be a little too intoxicating in that he may be looking for the KO too much. But I believe he has the smarts to know that he can't rely on it all the time and he has the poise and patience to box. He has a bright future and will be dangerous for anybody that he faces."

And if Berto continues to show the same concerted mindset as Lieberman, he could have a very bright future indeed.