Roach interested in Pacquiao vs. Berto bout – News

By Boxing News - 11/25/2010 - Comments

Image: Roach interested in Pacquiao vs. Berto bout - NewsBy Chris Williams: Freddie Roach, the trainer for Manny Pacquiao, likes the idea of putting Pacquiao in with the unbeaten but utterly flawed WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto (26-0, 20 KO’s) next. This, of course, would hinge on Berto beating welterweight contender Freddie Hernandez (29-1, 20 KO’s) this weekend in their fight at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and it would also depend on Floyd Mayweather Jr. If Mayweather can get free from his legal problems, he may be next in line for Pacquiao next year.

It’s highly unlikely, though. In addition, Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, would have to agree to matching Pacquiao up with Berto. He might do it since it would quiet some of the criticism Pacquiao has received for having fought his entire 15-year pro career without fighting a single African American. However, Berto isn’t exactly the best fighter that Roach and Arum could find for him if they’re looking for a good fight. Berto barely beat Luis Collazo in 2009, and has looked very mediocre in many of his fights. Some people see him as a paper champion and nothing more than that.

By Pacquiao fighting him, it might not give him the praise he’s looking for. Personally, I hate the fight. I don’t see Berto as a good fighter and think he would lose to Shane Mosley, even though Mosley looks like he’s badly deteriorated.

I’d rather see Pacquiao fight someone that is actually fighting good, someone like Timothy Bradley. I’d even settle for Saul Alvarez rather than seeing Pacquiao matched against a guy I’m absolutely certain he can beat in Berto. I don’t think Berto is very good, but then again I haven’t thought highly of Pacquiao’s opposition since the later part of 2008. His last good opponent was Juan Manuel Marquez, who I think beat Pacquiao twice. But it doesn’t look like Pacquiao wants to fight him. I don’t blame him. I think Marquez would beat him. Oh well. I guess it’s going to be an easy fight against Berto.



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