Andre Berto - Superb prospect but should he...

[MickyHatton]

I've got to admit that I have been extremely impressed with Andre Berto in his last few fights, he must be borderline World title fight standard now, certainly the likes of Quintana IMO isn't too far away.

I feel though he could drop the 6 or 7lbs and tear through the Light Welter Division, he would destroy the likes of Rees and Malignaggi IMO and set up a huge money spinning fight with the likes of Hatton before going back to Welter.

Thoughts?

[My Name Is...]

yeah but that extra seven pounds will make him really weak. He is already taking his body to the bare minimum being that he has a thick body frame. Now the fighter that NEEDS to do this is Zab. Zab could rule the 140 pounders but he decides to fight the welters, i dont know why because e could easily make 140.

[Crazy Dude]

Berto's problem is his defence. He gets hit too much. When he fights a puncher it could all be over for him.

[MickyHatton]

yeah but that extra seven pounds will make him really weak. He is already taking his body to the bare minimum being that he has a thick body frame. Now the fighter that NEEDS to do this is Zab. Zab could rule the 140 pounders but he decides to fight the welters, i dont know why because e could easily make 140.

I dont know, he's in great shape no doubt but he looks as if he could drop a few pounds quite easily, he carries a lot of mass especially around the shoulders.

Plus if some do believe that he could be a bit chinny then going down would not hurt his progress!

[beecherhq]

I've also seen his last few fights, quite impressed i think theres no question of when he does get backed into an uncomprimising position he will show a lot of heart. He looks quite small for a welterweight, and yes his defence is not too good. I think he could rip through the light welterweight division in the next year or so.

[Crazy Dude]

Berto fought as an amatuer at jr. middle. He's not a small welter.

[RichCCFC]

I heared he gets up to 160 after the weigh-ins so I don't think that is a posibility.

[MickyHatton]

I heared he gets up to 160 after the weigh-ins so I don't think that is a posibility.

Fair enough.

[RightHandLead]

I dont know, he's in great shape no doubt but he looks as if he could drop a few pounds quite easily, he carries a lot of mass especially around the shoulders.

Plus if some do believe that he could be a bit chinny then going down would not hurt his progress!

Well, I think it's always a trade-off when you're talking about moving down in weight and the effect it will have on your chin. On the one hand, you'll be fighting guys with (probably) less pop in their punches. On the other hand, you'll be much weaker, especially as a guy with as much muscle mass as Berto. You see fighters like Miguel Cotto struggle at 140 because of weight issues, and then look more comfortable against harder punchers at 147.. so it's definitely all relative.

[-EX-]

His time will come he needs to fight a B or B- level welterweight soon. He's running through most of these no-name guys now. Soon he has to fight a Collazo, Judah, Margarito level fighter. He's not ready for Floyd, Cotto, or Mosley though IMO.