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Floyd Mayweather JR’s Next Opponent: Andre Berto?

By Gina L. Caliboso

If you look at the welterweight division, champions Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, JR, are still there, ready to take on any opponent. More recently, Pacquiao has decided to take on Sugar Shane Mosley in May. As for Mayweather, JR., he stands out right now because he does not have an immediate opponent.

Since his win over Mosley last year, Mayweather has faced numerous challenges, including a recurring role on TMZ. But really, his challenges keep him as media fodder. I just wish he’d fight. But as I’ve now accounted for the three top welterweights in the world (Mayweather, JR., ranks #1, Pacquiao #2, and Mosley #3), I’d like to take a closer look at Andre Berto, 27-0, 21 KO’s.

Berto is the current #4 ranked welterweight. With all the attention on the top 3, I’d argue that all three fighters should really take a close look at Berto and keep him in mind. Or maybe, he has been overlooked because he is the quiet fighter that no one really wants to fight.

First, I must pay respect to the good Berto has done in the past year. Last year this month, Haiti suffered a devastating earthquake. About to take on Mosley, Berto appropriately withdrew from the fight and put his priorities on Haiti and has created the Berto Dynasty Foundation to assist the country with rebuilding. And while I was taken aback by the withdrawal simply because it could have been a make or break career type of fight for both fighters, I believe Berto made the right decision.

As for Mosley, he went on to fight and lose to Mayweather, JR in a 12 round unanimous decision.

Berto first earned the WBC Welterweight title back in June 2008 when the title had been vacated by Mayweather, JR. He defeated Miguel Angel Rodriguez with a 7th round TKO to earn the belt. Berto then followed up with five title defenses.

Following his win over Rodriguez, he then fought three more times to 12 round unanimous decisions. It’s important to note that while Berto’s record can be considered padded against less than high caliber opponents; I’d also argue that he’s a fighter that has shown he can fight over the course of 12 rounds.

Out of 27 fights, 21 of his bouts have been settled by KO. It’s no joke to be a KO puncher, but I like the test of a fighter to go through a split or unanimous decision. In Berto’s case, he didn’t get lazy and he got tested with three fights that went to 12 rounds.

He first defended his belt against Steve Forbes, in September 2008, followed by Luis Collazo, in January 2009, and finally defeated Colombian southpaw Juan Urango in May 2009. Both Collazo and Urango are serious hitters. Collazo has two 12 round unanimous decision losses to champions Ricky “Hitman” Hatton and Mosley. Urango also had a 12 round unanimous decision loss to Hatton back in January 2007 and recently lost to Devon Alexander with an 8th round TKO.

As Berto ended 2009 and sadly faced the tragedy of the Haitian earthquake in January 2010, he later made a return to the ring in April 2010 when he fought against Carlos Quintana. Berto came away with an 8th round TKO. He ended the 2010 year on a solid note and convincingly defeated Freddy Hernandez with a 1st round TKO. I loved this fight. Berto is two inches shorter than Hernandez, but he looked strong and held his ground. Berto pulled off a short right cross and hurt Hernandez so that he could never recover. Berto had that swag and air of confidence that showed he is not one to be overlooked.

But again, as I began this article with the top three welterweights of the world, Berto cannot go unnoticed as he is a boxer with an undefeated record that indicates KO power.

If Berto had gone against Mosley, he would have really tested him with his equal strength and stature. Berto can be a bit heavy footed, but he has good form and a solid base. Mosley usually outmuscles his opponents but he wouldn’t have been able to do that against Berto. But seeing as how Mosley has someone to think about, he won’t meet Berto soon. So again, I always put it out there as far as my fight matchmaking possibilities.

Mr. Floyd “Money” Mayweather, JR., should make a triumphant return, or at least show some interest, into the ring against Berto. It’s a classic billing really – good guy versus bad guy; undefeated record versus undefeated record; strength against speed. And think about this, Berto is younger than Mayweather, JR., and he might even have some young speed to accompany his power.

As Mayweather, JR., continues to avoid his eventual showdown with Pacquiao, the welterweight division with Berto’s presence will remain competitive. As I’ve paid attention to the division, the #5 ranked, promising red-haired upstart from Mexico and now represented by Golden Boy, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, 35-0, 26 KO’s, at the ripe age of 20, has to get some championship fighting under his belt. Alvarez is relatively unknown here in the US, but has a huge following in Mexico.

Alvarez versus Berto may not be as big as Mayweather, JR., versus Berto, but it certainly seems appropriate to continue to think and believe that Berto deserves his chance to be noticed and competitively matched with the best in the welterweight division.

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