By Bill Emes

Promoter Lou DiBella was irked by a recent report on BoxingScene.com, where it was stated that Golden Boy Promotions is handling the career of former welterweight champion Andre Berto (28-1, 22KOs).

In the article, Golden Boy Promotions CEO, Richard Schaefer, discussed several possible options for Berto's next fight - including an HBO televised fight with IBF junior middleweight champion Cornelius "K9" Bundrage on November 24th. Another option, although a long-shot, is an HBO televised welterweight fight with WBO champion Timothy Bradley on December 15th in Florida. 

"Let's have things play out the way they will. Andre Berto is a terrific fighter and has many different opportunities. He is willing to fight anyone and will be looking at what fight makes the most sense for him. I believe that this entire situation will be sorted out in the coming days. One thing which is for sure that Andre Berto will be fighting this year in a very meaningful fight. K9 Bundrage is a world champion and will be defending his title. He has earned his spot and he has earned to be in a big fight," Schaefer told BoxingScene.com.

DiBella has slammed Schaefer's comments - stating that Berto's manager, Al Haymon, assured him that DiBella Entertainment is still the promoter of record for Berto. With the exception of a few fighters, nearly every boxer in Haymon's vast arsenal is promoted by Golden Boy. Haymon recently signed six Olympians and all of them are expected to debut under the Golden Boy banner.

"Richard could keep talking and say whatever the f*** Richard wants to say. I'm not going to worry about what Richard Schaefer is saying. I've been Berto's promoter from the first moment that he turned pro. As far as I know - I'm Berto's promoter. I've been assured that I'm Berto's promoter. I've certainly been performing till this day as Berto's promoter," DiBella told BoxingScene.com.

"I talk to his manager every day. I'm not going to worry about Richard Schaefer. Richard Schaefer seems intent on trying to put everyone else out of business, he should worry about his own business. In this f***ing business who the f*** knows what's going on - but as far as I know I'm Andre Berto's promoter and he's told me nothing [different] and neither has his management."