By Keith Terceira
Photo © Ed Mulholland/FightWireImages.com
Saratoga Springs, New York is the battleground for this week's Friday Night Fights on ESPN2, featuring a welterweight clash between DiBella Entertainment's Andre Berto (18-0, 16KO) and Cosme “Chino” Rivera (30-10-2, 21KO).
The City Center will witness a major step up for the rising star of the division who most in the boxing community have pegged for a future champion. Standing in his way is "Chino," coming off a controversial split decision loss to Joel Julio, that saw Julio down in the 12th. Scoring for the fight went 112-115, 113-114, and 115-112.
The WBC has Berto 34th and Rivera 13th in the ratings, so, whatever the outcome of this match someone should be moving up with the recent losses of Margarito, Judah, and Clottey. Recently, Berto was in camp with Winky as Wright prepared to face Bernard Hopkins.
In December 2006 Berto appeared on the Taylor-Ouma undercard. Facing veteran Miguel Figueroa (25-4-2), Andre focused on a relentless body attack that broke down his opponent leading to a sixth round TKO.
Witnessing this stoppage I was impressed with Berto’s well rounded style and his ability to use his vast arsenal of punches. Equally impressive was his intelligence in the ring. Andre is armed with the knowledge and confidence to maneuver his fighter at will in the ring, Berto breaks them down and wears them out in such a sweet scientific manner that some may call old school but I see it as “New Old School”.
A combination of what was great “back in the day” and the more fluid combinations and movement taught in the sport today.
Andre took some time today to speak to me prior to heading out to New York’s historical horse country.
BoxingScene.com: Andre, Friday is a big bout for you. Cosme Rivera is a top 15 fighter in the WBC and a win over him could put you near top ten.
Berto: Yeah a win should pretty much place me in the top ten. So we are definitely looking forward to the match-up.
BoxingScene.com: Cosme brings a lot of experience to the table, has that experience changed anything in your training?
Berto: Everything has been almost the same but I have been spending a lot of time on placement of my shots and really working on my conditioning. Things have been pretty good for this training camp.
BoxingScene.com: You are in probably the most exciting and difficult division in boxing at the moment with the likes of Mosley, Cotto, Williams Cintron, Margarito, the list goes on . A win versus Rivera places you right in the mist. Can you run down any kind of order you may have?
Berto: A this point here all the fights in the welterweight division have been good. I don’t really have anybody in particular that I’m out to get. You know, we are just going to try and chop people down one at a time. That’s the way I’m looking at it right now.
BoxingScene.com: Of the big three sanctioning bodies which one do you prefer WBC, IBF or WBO?
Berto: WBO right now, is probably the most recognized right now!
BoxingScene.com: The WBO just had a champion change with Paul Williams beating Margarito. Williams could hold that title until you are ready for a belt. How do you feel about facing southpaws?
Berto: I trained with the best southpaw in Winky Wright, helping him get ready with the Hopkins fight , and I fought a lot of southpaws in the amateurs all around the world, they don’t bother me in the least. We have to see how everything pans out we have to get thru this week then we will be able to line everything up. I don’t like looking ahead to much.
BoxingScene.com: What is the biggest weapon Cosme brings with him Friday?
Berto: Like we said his experience, he has tremendous experience and he has little to lose and alot to gain in this fight. He fights every fight and he is awkward. We know its going to be a little tough but we are going to see if we can take him. This is going to be a statement fight for both of us. He fought Joel Julio his last fight and I thought like many people that he won. This fight here if I dominate the fight it will separate me and the talk from Joel Julio. It will put me in position for a lot of other things.
BoxingScene.com: When you faced Figueroa, I noticed that you made it a point to concentrate on the bodywork, more like an old school fighter. Are we going to see more of the same this week?
Berto: Oh yeah, in the pro’s I have to really work on a lot of different things, not just head work but bodywork also and try to learn different styles. You are not going just four rounds anymore. I have to be able to really break down my opponent.
BoxingScene.com: With Miguel you walked him back into to the ropes time and time again banging the body, rocking side to side throwing some big hooks, that is going to give guys a lot of trouble!
Berto: Figueroa was a tough durable guy that doesn’t get knocked out so I wanted to prove a point in that fight and keep the pressure on working the body then the head. We are going to do more of the same this week and see how Rivera responds make some adjustments and we will see.
It is a big day with me fighting and my brother fighting on the same night so it’s a big day for the family. Me fighting on ESPN, and my brother fighting on Showtime, Friday, it’s going to be a Berto night Friday night. It should be cool!
BoxingScene.com: I know you are adverse to looking ahead but what are your thoughts on Floyd Mayweather Jr?
Berto: Floyd is a terrific fighter. People have already been talking about me and Floyd in the future. That would be a tremendous fight, tremendous. You know I bring the speed and the power and Floyd has the speed and the skill. If he still sticks around by the time I get up there it will be one of the biggest fights of the decade.
BoxingScene.com: Thanks Andre, I appreciate your time, and good fortune with Rivera this week.
Berto: Check in after Friday Keith, and thank you.
