Stevie Forbes Looking to Expose Andre Berto's Youth

Stevie Forbes, former world title holder, former reality show participant and former challenger to Oscar De La Hoya is set and ready to get it on against WBC 147-pound titlist Andre Berto on Saturday's undercard of the Shane Mosley vs. Ricardo Mayorga fight at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

It will be Forbes' second straight fight in the same venue as he faced De La Hoya there in May and Forbes claims he's happy to be returning.

"I may have picked up a few thousand more fans there from he De La Hoya fight," he says.

Forbes continued, "I'm pumped up man, I've been training good with Floyd, Sr. and we're looking forward to it."

Forbes, 31, brings a record of 33-6 (9KO's) into the fight against the young and undefeated Berto, 25, who has a record of 22-0 (19KO's).

Forbes has been fighting as a pro since 1996 and had already won and lost his IBF 130-pound title two years before Berto even turned professional.  Forbes claims any youth advantage that Berto may possess will be offset by his seasoned knowledge.    

"I'm ready for him, man.  With the young buck comes inexperience," says Forbes.  "You can't be taught experience, you have to learn it.  You can't train for it, you've got to experience it."

Of the Berto fight, Forbes said, "It's interesting for me, too.  Besides Oscar, I've been fighting all  the young guys - Hopkins, Bojado - and so here's another one.  It's an interesting match-up because I feel like he hasn't really fought the quality type fighters but he's a strong, fast-rising champion now."

For anybody who may be writing Forbes off, he has other thoughts.

"I've been around.  I feel like I'm just hitting my stride, fighting bigger (name) guys, my technique is getting better.  I think it's going to be a good fight."

Despite Forbes' edge in experience and the fact that sources say he appears to be in great condition, Berto is an overwhelming betting favorite to retain his WBC title with some Las Vegas sportsbooks having him as much as a -1000 favorite. 

E-mail Comments To tkstewartboxing@gmail.com