Andre Berto is Hungry, Eager To Get Back in The Mix

By Rick Reeno

MGM Grand, Las Vegas - Former welterweight champion Andre Berto (28-3, 22KOs), 30-years-old, is ready to get back in the mix.

Berto has been inactive since last July's TKO loss to Jesus Soto Karass. During the fight, Berto severely injured his right shoulder. He hung in there, coming back with a late rally to drop Soto Karass in the eleventh but then he was stopped in the twelfth.

Following the fight, he underwent shoulder surgery. Recently Berto was given the green light to return, and currently he is training in the gym with new coach Virgil Hunter.

"I'll be back in September. I've been out for a while after going through shoulder surgery and then rehab to get it going. I'm finally good and I'll be back in September. We're talking about it, me and Al [Haymon] while we're here [in Las Vegas]. I was actually supposed to go in August but they wanted to give me some more time to make sure everything was going alright and the shoulder was clicking right. We're going to lock in the date, probably before I leave [Las Vegas]," Berto told BoxingScene.com.

"If there is one thing that everybody knows - I will fight anybody. I'm at a point right now where I'm coming back, make sure I put on a good performance and then it will open everything else back up. There are tons of competition out there for me. We're going to see what happens."

Most are expecting Berto to return to the welterweight division, but there has been some loose talk about him possibly testing the waters at 154-pounds.

"Right now we're not sure quite yet. We're not sure right now. We're just playing with it right now. I'm grinding and I'm like 157, 158 right now. I've been in camp for the last month, month and a half, just working and staying focused," Berto said.