Andre Berto Decisions Steve Forbes, Luis Collazo Next

[flodistheshizle]

Unfortunately this fight was way too one sided. I was expecting much more from Forbes. I expected Berto to win but only by a close decision. I guess Forbes doesn't have it anymore.

But Berto looked very good tonight. By the end of 2009 or beginning of 2010, he should be ready for an elite welterweight.

Quote:"I guess Forbes doesn't have it anymore"


(roll eyes)

[internetworld7]

I understand that, but if he gets hit like that against a guy like Margarito or a Cotto is lightouts for him. He needs to improve dramaticly in the defense department and he needs to show more movement.

I think your assessment is highly overrated. While Berto did get hit, I don't believe he got hit nearly as often as you're making it seem. Keep in mind that Steve Forbes is also a quick handed fighter. Someone like Margarito is more predictable, slower and one dimensional. I'm not saying he is ready for Margarito or Paul Williams but let's not lose perspective here. Forbes is faster than both Margarito and Paul Williams. So you can only expect him to get hit more against Forbes.

Also his defense may not be great like Mayweather, James Toney or Pernell Whitaker but it wasn't as bad as you're making it out either. I thought he did a decent job at protecting himself although there's room for improvement.

[internetworld7]

Quote:"I guess Forbes doesn't have it anymore"


(roll eyes)

Care to elaborate?

[flodistheshizle]

Care to elaborate?

I have to be honest ,i might have taken your comment`s the wrong way.

Are you saying forbes desire is`nt there or or are you saying he`s washed up?

[internetworld7]

I have to be honest ,i might have taken your comment`s the wrong way.

Are you saying forbes desire is`nt there or or are you saying he`s washed up?

What I meant by "I guess he doesn't have it anymore." was his inability to put together successive combinations and what seemed a lack of desire to win. Although Delahoya was bigger and stronger than Berto, Forbes looked better against Delahoya and at times showed he was very much in the fight. Against Berto, he did more holding than I've ever seen him do. It seems to be Forbes is on his last legs and should give retirement a serious consideration.

[black.ink]

Collazo is a good test for Berto. I think he's doing the right thing in taking on fringe-contenders before stepping up. I see him decisioning Collazo, in which i wouldn't mind seeing him taking on Cintron after. A hard-hitter like that would sure answer all questions on how ready he is at the top level.

I know Cintron's fight with N'dou is an IBF eliminator, but i don't want to see him fight Margarito again, as he clearly does not have enough tools to beat him. Cintron/Berto should be made for 09 setting up Berto's Welter future.

[Floydmayweather]

Since when Marg and Cotto are 1 punch K.O artist.

And if you pay attention to the fight Berto tightened up his defense later in the fight and started to get hit much much less.

Give him two fights and i predicts he beats both Marg and Cotto and please quote me on that.

His defense was good he blocks alot of punches with his elbow and rolls others. He had no marks on him. His speed and stamina are great and he has some power. He is still young and will grow i think he will ko Callazo late. Forbes is tricky and lacks punching power so Berto just walked in some times but his defense and movement is actually quite good. I think Berto would give both Margo and Cotto tough fights but to early to see if he will have a chance to win. (the chin has not been checked)

[Ryn0]

I understand that, but if he gets hit like that against a guy like Margarito or a Cotto is lightouts for him. He needs to improve dramaticly in the defense department and he needs to show more movement.

Berto is pretty sound defensively, at the later part of the fight he was rarely hit flush. Perhaps he was just going for a KO but when he realised he couldn't KO forbes he turned up the defense. Cotto and Margs aren't 1 punch KO artist either and Cotto & Margarito have worse defense than Berto

[Allucard]

Not hating on Berto but he took too many shots from forbes, his defense is awful and he only relies on his hand speed. I think Collazo will give him a lot of problems. He is not ready yet for Margaritos and Cottos of the world. I think a guy with descent Punching power will ko him. I hope not because I like watching him fight, but he wont last long as a champ!!!

I agree... But i don't think he's getting dramatically better.

[jbin333]

Decent fight but.....

I have great respect for Andre Berto....however it is clear to me that he isn't ready to think about Cotto, Margarito or Williams at this time, quite frankly I dont think he'll ever be ready for those guys. Last night we watched him fight a respectable journeyman in Stevie Forbes.....Forbes is a decent fighter but we all know he doesn't possess the necessary power needed to deal with a fighter of Berto's ability at this time....If Collazo gets the chance to fight him, depending on what Collazo shows up in the ring, Berto could very well be in his toughest fight......I'd like to see Berto get a matchup with Quintana, heck I wouldnt even mind seeing him in against Judah (talk about a battle of speed and combination punching). I'd even like to see him step it up if he were successful with the fighters I just mentioned and have him fight Kermit Cintron to see how he handles a legit power right hand.

It'l be interesting to watch Berto develop, and see just his handlers bring him along!