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By Jake Donovan - His own promoter previously described this weekend’s fight as the last of the developmental stage before moving onto the next level.
With a vacant alphabet title of sorts at stake, it’s understandable for undefeated blue chip prospect Andre Berto (21-0, 18KO) to assume that, with a win he advances to the upper echelon of the welterweight division. That with a title comes leverage, which of course increases demand at the negotiating table.
But while others overemphasize what’s at stake this weekend, Andre Berto enters the fight with the same vision he had when he began training camp – just a fight against Miguel Rodriguez, with a win beginning Phase Two of his career.
“I wish I had a dollar for everyone that asked if this fight now being for a world title changes things,” jokes Berto, who takes on Rodriguez in his first HBO Boxing After Dark main event this weekend in Memphis, TN (Saturday, 10PM ET/PT). “Before we found out that there was a title on the line, I was training for Miguel Rodriguez.
“My focus remains the same; who’s in front of me, not what belt is at stake. A title fight is a dream of mine, but I want to stay focused. All of the perks come after.”
Berto’s received plenty of perks while advancing from prospect to contender. Though this weekend represents his first HBO headliner, it marks his fifth appearance on the Network of Champions, all within his last seven fights (including this upcoming Saturday). Eight of his last 12 fights have appeared on either HBO, Showtime or ESPN2, and this weekend figures to be the first of many shows he’ll serve as the feature attraction. [details]
With a vacant alphabet title of sorts at stake, it’s understandable for undefeated blue chip prospect Andre Berto (21-0, 18KO) to assume that, with a win he advances to the upper echelon of the welterweight division. That with a title comes leverage, which of course increases demand at the negotiating table.
But while others overemphasize what’s at stake this weekend, Andre Berto enters the fight with the same vision he had when he began training camp – just a fight against Miguel Rodriguez, with a win beginning Phase Two of his career.
“I wish I had a dollar for everyone that asked if this fight now being for a world title changes things,” jokes Berto, who takes on Rodriguez in his first HBO Boxing After Dark main event this weekend in Memphis, TN (Saturday, 10PM ET/PT). “Before we found out that there was a title on the line, I was training for Miguel Rodriguez.
“My focus remains the same; who’s in front of me, not what belt is at stake. A title fight is a dream of mine, but I want to stay focused. All of the perks come after.”
Berto’s received plenty of perks while advancing from prospect to contender. Though this weekend represents his first HBO headliner, it marks his fifth appearance on the Network of Champions, all within his last seven fights (including this upcoming Saturday). Eight of his last 12 fights have appeared on either HBO, Showtime or ESPN2, and this weekend figures to be the first of many shows he’ll serve as the feature attraction. [details]
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