By Niko Tricarico: Andre Berto has a lot to prove to the boxing public as well as to him self. In recent fights he has failed to impress with the same type of overpowering presence that he did earlier in his career. That might have something to do with the level of opposition he is now facing which has grown increasingly stiffer as he has grown in fame. A boxer usually has to make a name for him self against someone who, for one reason or another, has already done so (preferably without the help of HBO’s marketing campaigns).
Curiously for Berto, this test came last January in the form of Luis Collazo, the slick Brooklyn native southpaw who doesn’t really have a win against a big name, but proved himself by losing a decision to Ricky Hatton in a fight that most thought he actually won. He is well respected and regarded as a tough fight for anyone in the Welterweight division. In another close Collazo fight, Berto did just enough to eek out the win in an exciting back and forth battle of skill, grit and determination. Again, the fight could have gone either way and I am personally still waiting for that rematch, which for all intents and purposes, will probably never happen.
After the Collazo fight, Berto fought Juan Urango. Urango moved up from Junior Welterweight to Welterweight and the fast, heavy handed Berto still couldn’t do much with him and virtually held his way to victory (Interestingly, while at Urango’s natural weight of 140, where he should be stronger and more comfortable, he got knocked out last month in a dazzling performance by Devon Alexander).
To watch Berto is to watch speed on a nearly superhuman level. Combined with his punching power he was recently not unlike a miniature Mike Tyson, especially with his knockout of Miguel Angel Rodriguez. So, he has the ability to ravage and dominate his opponents with devastating results. He just hasn’t been doing it in his last few fights.
Berto, a Welterweight, began his career has a Middleweight, which is astonishing, because I can’t help but think that his overly muscular physic would be better suited at Junior Welterweight. Muscles, especially in lower divisions, get in the way. They hinder fluidity, movement and defensive maneuverability. Now, Berto faces Carlos Quintana on April 10th. Quintana is a crafty veteran who has the ability to make his opponents look incredibly bad. He also has the ability to not fully execute his strategy and get thrown off of his game plan. He took a beating and quit against fellow Puerto Rican, Miguel Cotto in 2006. One fight later he looked brilliant against Paul Williams and equally as awful in their rematch when he got knocked out in the first round.
I believe Berto is faster than Floyd Mayweather Jr., but what Berto lacks (aside from a solid defense) is Mayweather’s mental fortitude. Berto likes to brawl and usually can get away with it in the ring because of his lightening fast hands. And brawling is extremely exciting, but with Berto’s speed there is no reason why he can’t pick apart his opponents from the outside, pepper them with combinations and wholly outclass anyone he faces. He just doesn’t. He likes to brawl…or he can be easily goaded into one. And brawling is what can and eventually will get him in trouble (though probably not with Quintana).
So, will Berto tighten up his guard? Will he use his speed effectively? Will he establish the same of type of excitement and buzz that surrounded his name a few fights ago? I hope so because he is truly a phenomenal talent who possesses the ability to soar in the Welterweight division as high as his mind allows.
Andre Berto has a lot to prove. And he will get his opportunity this Saturday against Carlos Quintana.
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