Tweet
By Lyle Fitzsimmons - Forty-eight hours past the biggest win of his career, Andre Berto was still throwing combinations.
After hesitatingly claiming a place among the welterweight elite Monday using the word “young” as a qualifier, the powerful 25-year-old Floridian replied to a follow-up query with an unmistakable view of where he truly fits in.
“Yes, I think I am the best welterweight out there,” said Berto, who defended his WBC share of the 147-pound title for the first time with a wide points win over Steve Forbes Saturday night.
“I believe it, and I know that in due time I’ll be able to prove to everyone else that I’m No. 1.”
Flicking jab. Straight right hand. I’m the best.
Mssrs. Margarito, Cotto and Williams… deal with it.
“I think I have the total package when you combine speed, power, agility and the ability to adjust to any sort of style from the opposition,” he said. “I’m the first of the new breed of fighter in this weight class and I’m eager to make big fights with the rest of the big names out there.”
A convincing winner over Miki Rodriguez to win the Mayweather-vacated crown in June, Berto improved to 23-0 in a four-year career with verdicts of 118-109, 118-109 and 116-111 against Forbes - who got the shot as a reward for a game effort against Oscar De La Hoya in May. [details]
After hesitatingly claiming a place among the welterweight elite Monday using the word “young” as a qualifier, the powerful 25-year-old Floridian replied to a follow-up query with an unmistakable view of where he truly fits in.
“Yes, I think I am the best welterweight out there,” said Berto, who defended his WBC share of the 147-pound title for the first time with a wide points win over Steve Forbes Saturday night.
“I believe it, and I know that in due time I’ll be able to prove to everyone else that I’m No. 1.”
Flicking jab. Straight right hand. I’m the best.
Mssrs. Margarito, Cotto and Williams… deal with it.
“I think I have the total package when you combine speed, power, agility and the ability to adjust to any sort of style from the opposition,” he said. “I’m the first of the new breed of fighter in this weight class and I’m eager to make big fights with the rest of the big names out there.”
A convincing winner over Miki Rodriguez to win the Mayweather-vacated crown in June, Berto improved to 23-0 in a four-year career with verdicts of 118-109, 118-109 and 116-111 against Forbes - who got the shot as a reward for a game effort against Oscar De La Hoya in May. [details]
Comment