Andre Berto- Exposed?

[Njord777]

Everyone kept talking about Berto as "the next big thing". He was prospect of the year in '06.

Last night was Berto's 19th fight. Not to put too much pressure on him, but Mayweather's 18th and 19th fights were stoppages over Genaro Hernandez and Angel Manfredy. And Floyd was 21 at the time. Berto is 23.

I'm just saying.

I think of all the knocks on a fighter, all the negative ideas or stances- this has to be the most intelligent. While I'm still giving Berto a chance Dios, I think, is correct. Being prospect of the year means we should be seeing some huge things from him this year. The comparison to the top welterweight in the world right now, Mayweather, is not unmerited. If Andre can't take a jump up in class soon he's going to be in trouble.

They say his next fight is going to be against David Estrada. Estrada is a tough guy that went 10 with Mosley and helped Kermit Cintron make his comeback in a barn burner on ESPN2. This should be another huge test of Berto- a make it or break it type of fight if it does happen. Agreed?

[The Texican]

I wasn't very impressed last night. I thought Berto was gonna take Cosme out early. A similar skilled fighter named Zab Judah blasted the tuff as **** Rivera in like two rounds a couple of years ago, I think right after Spinks. His power may be overrated at this point.

[STEELHEAD]

I wasn't very impressed last night. I thought Berto was gonna take Cosme out early. A similar skilled fighter named Zab Judah blasted the tuff as **** Rivera in like two rounds a couple of years ago, I think right after Spinks. His power may be overrated at this point.

man your off base !!! to compare the green berto to zab at this stage is short sighted.
berto finally stepped it up and fought a seasoned veteran and showed how green he was but did what he was suppose to do. he seemed way to anxious and prolonged the fight by headhunting. yes his defense has holes in it but to put his performance under the microscope at this stage is silly. imo his defense is decent . and man cosme ate some leather last night.
would think he will have a tuneup before stepping up another fullstep and tackling estrada .

[The Texican]

I simply meant in terms of the speed and power that everybody is drooling about. To look into it further than that would be ignorant on my part. He's not on that level yet.

[Njord777]

I see what he means about Zab, though. Judah is very fast and has a great punch- two attributes that Berto is said to possess. I guess the difference is Zab, despite his mental flaws, knows how to use his natural ability in a way Andre doesn't yet. It'll be interesting to see how Berto does in his next fight- having learned what it's like to face someone who knows tricks he has never seen before. If he flops against Estrada I think the scale will tip towards Berto indeed being overrated.

[Feint]

To answer the question, no, I don't think he was exposed.

He got caught with a shot. It happens to every young boxer who goes "head hunting" instead of fighting smart. He is still one of the best prospects out there and I am fairly confident that if he continues to work on his skills he will develop into a star.

In fact, that knockdown may end up being good for his career as he will realize that often a KO is a result of a compilation of blows rather than going for the one shot KO at the expense of your defense.

[Njord777]

To answer the question, no, I don't think he was exposed.

He got caught with a shot. It happens to every young boxer who goes "head hunting" instead of fighting smart. He is still one of the best prospects out there and I am fairly confident that if he continues to work on his skills he will develop into a star.

In fact, that knockdown may end up being good for his career as he will realize that often a KO is a result of a compilation of blows rather than going for the one shot KO at the expense of your defense.

Well, if you read my original post I tried to point out I wasn't saying Berto was exposed. Basically, I think he showed how young he still is- and yet with being last year's top prospect and so many people expecting things from him...Andre does not have much longer to mature. I say if he doesn't show more experiential learning in the next two fights or so he'll be considered overrated and his stock will fall.

[Feint]

Well, if you read my original post I tried to point out I wasn't saying Berto was exposed. Basically, I think he showed how young he still is- and yet with being last year's top prospect and so many people expecting things from him...Andre does not have much longer to mature. I say if he doesn't show more experiential learning in the next two fights or so he'll be considered overrated and his stock will fall.

I see what you’re saying but perception is not reality. People can say he is the next big thing or that he is overrated, but either way it doesn’t matter what people think about a boxer, only the results he produces in the ring.

Having said that, don't forget he is still just 23 years old. As you pointed out, he is just a kid. So considering what he has shown already at this young of an age I think his stock is just fine.

[Gatti9783]

Andre Berto is unbelievable athlete. He did look extremely overconfident last night. All that smilin and gesturing was getting a little annoying. I'd personally like to see him fight Judah somewhere down the road. Two great athletes.

[Gareth Ivanovic]

That KD probably made people jump off the bandwagon, but he came back and still won. He will only get better and start to get comfortable with the big lights on him. Every fight from now on we should find out a lot more about him since he will be probably be facing better competition.