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Berto: Fighter On The Move

Andre Berto became a professional boxer in 2004 after an illustrious and extensive amateur career. Of his eighteen professional victories to date, sixteen have been by knockout. Many fighters who have high KO ratios, as does Berto, scored many of those stoppages via an accumulation of punches; not so in Berto's case. This young man's punches have the kick of an angry mule. Berto has real power that he generates with lightning fast hands. He has the boxing media totally enthralled by his power, this reporter included.

Andre Berto will face Cosme Rivera on Friday, July 27, 2007 at the City Center. Saratoga Springs, New York. The show will be promoted by Pugnacious Promotions, and can be seen on ESPN2.

Rivera sports a 30-10-2 log with 21 big knockouts to his credit, and he has faced some of the best in his weight division. Rivera's experience will pose new questions, and answer many more about Berto's skill and future as a fighter.

"Most definitely," answered the Miami, FL born banger when asked if he felt ready for this step up. "We've put in a lot of hard work; we've improved ourselves so I feel it's time we stepped it up."

What problems might Rivera pose for the young Berto? Has he seen him fight?

"I've seen him fight once or twice," said Berto. "I've seen him when he fought Zab, and I've seen him when he fought Joel Julio. Those were the only two fights that I've seen him in."

How does Berto assess his opponent?

"He's definitely a little slower, and his power isn't really too strong. He's there to get hit," said Berto.

Rivera has only lost by KO once among his ten defeats and that was to Zab Judah. Is Berto thinking knockout?

"If the opportunity presents itself, yeah," replied Berto.

Berto's power, as with other great punchers, is inborn, not learned.

"I'm not sure," answered Berto. "It's (the punching power) just natural for me. Even when I was younger it was the main thing that I always had. I guess I got it from my parents, I don't know."

Berto is also known for his hand speed and he has some skills too. "My skill level is pretty good," added Berto. "I learned a lot just going through the amateur program and the whole Olympic deal, but you pick it up through each and every fight."

Berto had a ton of amateur fights. To the best of his recollection he amassed a 260-12 record. He represented Haiti in the Olympics, he won two National Golden Gloves Championships, he was a gold medalist in the Pan Am games, and he won a Bronze at the World Championship.

Berto appears to have a bright future and he even reminds some boxing folks (including this writer) of Emile Griffith in his style.

Berto feels that he has his own style but admits that he has heard the comparison to Griffith before.

Berto is satisfied with his manager Al Haymon and his promoter Lou DiBella and his organization.

"I'm pretty happy at this point," said Berto. "We've been getting a lot of good exposure on the networks. Everything is going pretty good. What they said they would do they have come through with."

Berto's father and brother are involved with Mixed Marshal Arts and he has considered competing in that sport as well.

"Actually my brother is fighting (MMA) the same night as my fight. He's the main event on Showtime," said Berto unable to hide his enthusiasm.

To sum up Berto, he is someone who bear's watching. He has true power in both hands and fine boxing skills. He says that after he is done in the welterweight class he will move up to junior-middleweight.

He comes from a fighting family and it all seems so natural for him.

This is the fighting Bertos; be watching, or beware!