Former two-time welterweight world champion Andre Berto (30-3, 23 KOs) of Winter Haven, Florida is two weeks away from his fight against pound-for-pound king and WBC/WBA welterweight champion Floyd ?Money? Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs). Berto will square off against Mayweather Saturday, September 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas live on Showtime pay per view. We caught up with Berto as he talked about his upcoming showdown with Floyd.
?This fight was supposed to happen two or three times. Situations with me not taking care of myself and not taking opponents seriously caused it to happen. But styles make fights and we?ll see what the boxing fans say Sept. 12,? Berto told Fightnews.com ?I have already prepared myself mentally. From an energy aspect, I feel great. It?s my first time in a while coming into a fight with no injuries. This is the healthiest I?ve been since I can remember.?
Berto is preparing for Floyd with his trainer Virgil Hunter in Oakland, California.
?I have been working a lot this camp we worked on a lot of different things at camp. I have the speed to keep up with him. I have more power,? Berto stated. ?At the end of the day, I am putting in the work and focused. The whole team is confident. I am in the best shape ever!?
Mayweather is coming off a unanimous decision over Manny Pacquiao this past May in what was supposed to be the fight of the century. Floyd?s has repeatedly claimed that will be his last fight in what has been an illustrious nineteen-year pro career. He is a win away from tying Rocky Marciano?s record at 49-0 and retiring as an undefeated champion, but Berto aims to spoil those plans.
?The man just got finished beating Pacquiao, I don?t know what Pacquiao did, Pacquiao is a wonderful fighter. He said he had an injury and didn?t really do too much,? Berto stated. ?These guys he has fought are not as athletic I am, [or] as athletic as he is. He has fought guys that come straight at him just like a robot. A guy that stood in front of him that?s athletic is Zab Judah and he gave him problems. In the past I have shown a lot more than just walk straight. I can move and have a lot of other tools.?
Berto won his first world title over Miguel Rodriguez with a TKO in winning the WBC welterweight title back in 2008 and became world champion a second time winning the IBF welterweight title with a fifth round TKO over Jan Zaveck. He currently holds a WBA interim belt.
?Where I come from we have always had to defeat the odds, being the underdog motivates me and has got me to where I am at. I have faced the odds my whole life,? Berto said. ?I was 24 when I won my first world title. A lot has changed. I have a lot of experience behind me. I?ve had lots of ups and downs.?
Starting off his career, Berto went 27-0 before suffered his first loss to Victor Ortiz, losing his WBC title in what was 2011 Fight of the Year. Berto would go on to lose three of four fights, dropping a unanimous decision to Robert Guerrero in November of 2012 and suffered a TKO at the hands of journeyman Jesus Soto-Karass in July of 2013.
?I have been through some shit the last couple of years. I have got a chance to see what is real,? Berto said. ?At the beginning I heard a lot of criticism but now everything is changing.?
After a one year layoff due to a shoulder injury, Berto returned with a unanimous decision over Steve Upsher Chambers. He is coming off a sixth round stoppage over Josesito Lopez this past March, punching his ticket to a showdown with Mayweather. However, there has been harsh criticism on Mayweather?s decision to take on Berto.
?I don?t care nothing about the criticism, I am focused. At the end of the day they can criticize. At the beginning I heard a lot of criticism but now everything is changing,? Berto added.
Representing Haiti in the 2004 Athens Olympics, Berto will once again have the eyes of the Caribbean nation watching and supporting.
?It?s already crazy. It?s great for the country. At the end of the day I will be in a position to inspire a nation,? Berto said. ?It?s not only for me but it?s for an entire nation. This can be life changing for a lot of people.
?It?s on him. This is my first time going into a fight with no pressure on my back. I know that I?m still the same guy who people thought could have given Floyd problems a couple years ago. This is my first time going into a fight without all the pressure on my back. I?ve always been the favorite in every fight. I don?t know what he?s feeling and I don?t really have to care about it. This is going to be for everyone who believes in the underdog,? Berto concluded.
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