both of these fighters are seen as the future of there divisions.
both WBC title holders (at 147 and 140)
and both 23-0. I think they're even the same age (25)
the next fight for them could be 1 of their tougher tests as
January 17th Berto defends his title vs Luis Collazo
and April 4th Bradley defends and tries to unify the WBO title vs Kendall Holt
**who do you see as more likely to successfully defend there title. and who has a brighter future?
But like you've pointed out Berto couldn't unify the WBO is pretty much Cotto's belt, the WBA Margarito, IBF Clottey, If he were to step up and fight the best I'll pretty much would recomend him fighting Clottey and work his way up from there but first let him go through some tests and then we'll see.
well im not saying Berto can't unify because of the current champ's
just with Margarito lining a fight up vs Mosley on January 24th
and then planning to take on Cotto after that (while Cotto picks up a belt, the WBO like you said in Feb)
it's out of Berto's hands .. cuz he (Andre) isn't fighting Margarito or Cotto .. there fighting each other.
Clottey would be a good choice, however I would have to think that if Clottey can get by his mandatory Cintron
I would think Joshua would have the leg up on facing the Marg-Cotto 2 winner rather then facing Berto
but the above will all go to shit unless Berto can get by Collazo.
But like you've pointed out Berto couldn't unify the WBO is pretty much Cotto's belt, the WBA Margarito, IBF Clottey, If he were to step up and fight the best I'll pretty much would recomend him fighting Clottey and work his way up from there but first let him go through some tests and then we'll see.
I completely agree but that's why I think Bradley will have a brighter future than Berto unless he starts beating everyone there is to beat then that would make Berto a beast but what I mean is Bradley has the easier road, but if Berto overcomes his challenges then he is the future biggest star.
and it's because of that lack of depth that Bradley's already pretty close to the top.
he went from some obscurity to belt holder .. to right now having a chance to unify and hold half the recognized titles in his division not bad for 23-0
and if he gets by Holt there'd only be the best of the rest to take on .. if not Hatton-Pacquiao winner, maybe the Ngoudjo-Urango winner?
where Berto is just getting to facing that upper level opposition, and to be honest with Mosley-Margarito-Cotto all lined up to face each other it's not like Andre had the opportunity to face the best anyway.
but it's probably a good thing as he isn't ready yet.
**again I just find the career comparison between the 2 (Bradley/Berto) to be quite fascinating .. same record, same age, same Alphabet title and both defended title once
however 1 is aiming at title unification his next fight
and the other is facing a top 10, top 12 contender in his division.
In a division where Malignaggi is a top 5 fighter, it shows you how shallow 140 is. I mean 140 is pretty wide open despite having one dominant fighter (Ricky Hatton)
but Bradley is making up for the Cherry opponent selection (1st title defense not terrible) with taking on Holt for his second title defense. and Bradley did aggressively pursue that fight .... a title unification AND taking on a top 140 pounder IMO you can't get much better then that. (outside of fighting Hatton of course)
where Welterweight, there's Margarito looking like the man right now, but even he has a loss to Williams. (who lost to Quintana, but avenged that etc)
well even Berto vs Collazo .. I'd say Luis is def top 12, but top 10 might be bit outta Collazo's reach
Mosley dominated him, Margarito and Cotto I would put ahead of Luis and I have to throw in Clottey and Williams. hey with Floyd's retirement and Zab looking at 140
maybe Collazo is top 10, based on the above but the losses to Mosley + Hatton hurt his standing.
well that's where it starts for Berto, next up he's looking at a reasonably solid opponent who hasn't quite got over the hump (ex vs Mosley)
should be an interesting fight. and if Berto's as good as we think, he should get by Collazo.
I completely agree but that's why I think Bradley will have a brighter future than Berto unless he starts beating everyone there is to beat then that would make Berto a beast but what I mean is Bradley has the easier road, but if Berto overcomes his challenges then he is the future biggest star.
Still Witter was easily top 5 in the division when Bradley beat him.
regardless of who Bradley faced in the division. He already faced top 5 competition in his division when facing Witter and is going to face top 5 competiotion when facing Holt whereas Berto is facing top 10 competition right now. I don't have anything against Berto actually I like Berto but I can't look over the fact he hasn't faced tough competition yet.
In a division where Malignaggi is a top 5 fighter, it shows you how shallow 140 is. I mean 140 is pretty wide open despite having one dominant fighter (Ricky Hatton)
but Bradley is making up for the Cherry opponent selection (1st title defense not terrible) with taking on Holt for his second title defense. and Bradley did aggressively pursue that fight .... a title unification AND taking on a top 140 pounder IMO you can't get much better then that. (outside of fighting Hatton of course)
where Welterweight, there's Margarito looking like the man right now, but even he has a loss to Williams. (who lost to Quintana, but avenged that etc)
well even Berto vs Collazo .. I'd say Luis is def top 12, but top 10 might be bit outta Collazo's reach
Mosley dominated him, Margarito and Cotto I would put ahead of Luis and I have to throw in Clottey and Williams. hey with Floyd's retirement and Zab looking at 140
maybe Collazo is top 10, based on the above but the losses to Mosley + Hatton hurt his standing.
well that's where it starts for Berto, next up he's looking at a reasonably solid opponent who hasn't quite got over the hump (ex vs Mosley)
should be an interesting fight. and if Berto's as good as we think, he should get by Collazo.
i like bradley, i think berto is a talented kid but theres something about bradey hes teak tough and a better all rounded fighter than some give him credit for. witter is no slouch yet bradley looked the quicker fighter, its hard to tell and i think we'll see just how good he really is when he faces holt. i like bradley though, theres something about him.
berto may actually may be the more talneted fighter out of the 2, but i just think that theres a bit more smoke and mirrors to him. he was hurt a few times by forbes and he just generally has a few questions that i dont think he'll be able to answer hanging over his head. a good fighter onetheless and one to wacth out for but i see the top dogs beating him at the moment.
you could almost say the same toward Bradley .. Witter was very negative in their fight and kinda caughted it up
and Stevie Forbes aside (who was Berto's first title defense)
look who Bradley took on in his first title defense .. Edner Cherry who is a natural Lightweight.
IMO both still have a lot to prove.
Still Witter was easily top 5 in the division when Bradley beat him.
regardless of who Bradley faced in the division. He already faced top 5 competition in his division when facing Witter and is going to face top 5 competiotion when facing Holt whereas Berto is facing top 10 competition right now. I don't have anything against Berto actually I like Berto but I can't look over the fact he hasn't faced tough competition yet.
Bradley will, IMO, have a more successful career. Berto is in too much of a lion's den, and doesnt seem to have the defensive skills to be the top guy there. Bradley on the other hand is a well rounded fighter, and the couple of guys who might beat him now wont give him a fight right now.
Both could easily lose their next fights.
Bradley because Holt is a good Pro, Berto because this is the first time he's faced a top 20 WW and his skillset or power may well be found wanting, it's hard to say with any accuracy since he hasn't fought anyone decent.
Bradley is more likely to have a big future if he's smart enough to stay away from Hatton for a couple of years, thing is I like the fact he wants Hatton, I just don't think it's particularly smart, A close win or loss in a couple of years would serve him better than the pounding that he would get right now..
1st time hes faced a top 10 ww... not a top 20
Both could easily lose their next fights.
Bradley because Holt is a good Pro, Berto because this is the first time he's faced a top 20 WW and his skillset or power may well be found wanting, it's hard to say with any accuracy since he hasn't fought anyone decent.
Bradley is more likely to have a big future if he's smart enough to stay away from Hatton for a couple of years, thing is I like the fact he wants Hatton, I just don't think it's particularly smart, A close win or loss in a couple of years would serve him better than the pounding that he would get right now..
They both have great chances to defend their titles, in my opinion the one with the most brighter future should be Timothy Bradley, his title fight was against a tough boxer in Junior Witter and looks to be skyrocketing to greatness with an attitude of going out to fight anyone, whereas Berto is great but he still hasn't been exactly tested I mean his toughest opponent and the one with most recognitio has been Stevie Forbes, we'll have to see how he does against Collazo to be sure of his future.
you could almost say the same toward Bradley .. Witter was very negative in their fight and kinda caughted it up
and Stevie Forbes aside (who was Berto's first title defense)
look who Bradley took on in his first title defense .. Edner Cherry who is a natural Lightweight.
IMO both still have a lot to prove.
that's what I like about it, potential is looming for both
besides the 3 fighters you named for Bradley, he has Holt next up
and Berto doesn't really have to worry about even half the names you mentioned
Margarito is facing Mosley next ... Cotto after that
and Cintron's looking to fight Clottey (don't see Kermit winning that one)
but even with Marg, Cotto, Mosley etc all tied down with fights Berto's still gotta get by Collazo later this month to stay relevant.
well i was talking about the future.. not so much there very next fight