Boxing: Andre Berto (Profile Analysis)

Just a note on Smokeythebear's post about Berto, which I agree he looked impressive against a tough guy, but Miguel Rodriguez was severly over his head (speed, power, boxing ability). I watched Berto fight live in Saratoga Springs against Cosme Rivera. Berto looked great, although the guy he fought was way too slow, but he caught Berto with an uppercut that sent Berto down in the 6th round. The punch was a sneaky left uppercut that caught Berto flush as he was coming in. Cosme has decent knock out power, and Berto was able to get up slightly shaken but then comeback to dominate the fight. That was the first time I saw him fight live and I was impressed with his abilities. Sitting ringside, Berto's punches were lightning fast and often hard to see if he was connecting clean or they were glancing blows. He has yet to fight a world class opponent. The top of the list guys are Miguel Cotto, Paul Williams, Antonio Margarito, and Shane Mosley. I believe a fight with Carlos Quintana or Luis Collazo would be the next good step for him. Stepping in with the likes of any of the others listed is maybe to quick. I think one more fight against a top contender that has some ability to compete with Berto will allow him to mature, thus making him more relaxed in which what will be his first major title defense.

 

Agree on all points, rodriguez was def. over is head. Berto meanwhile still needs to improve defensively before he can take on the top welterweights but has some very impressive performances in his past.  I think a year of fights against maybe quintana, judah, collazo, maybe even clottey. I don't think mosley will beat mora so not sure whether I will consider him atop the division anymore but another story in it self...Strong performances against one or two of those guys will set him up in late 2009 to get in the picture with the likes of williams, cotto and marg. OR he's gonna get thrown in real early and over is head with one of the top guys and his defensive problems will be exposed. Kid def. has talent and assuming he works hard in the gym and progresses where he needs to he can def. make noise in the divison for years to come.

 

 

I feel were on the same page with the progression of Berto.