Andre Berto

Andre Berto
File:Andre Berto 2010.jpg Berto in 2015
Statistics
Real name	Andre Michael Berto
Nickname(s)	The Beast
Rated at	Welterweight
Height
Reach
Nationality	American, Haitian
Born	(1983-09-07) September 7, 1983 Winter Haven, Florida, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	34
Wins	30
Wins by KO	23
Losses	4
Medal record Men's boxing Representing United States World Amateur Championships 2003 Bangkok Welterweight

Andre Michael Berto (born September 7, 1983) is a Haitian-American professional boxer. He is a two-time welterweight world champion.

Personal life

Berto was one of seven children raised in Winter Haven, Florida. He was introduced to boxing by his father after getting beat multiple times by classmates. Dieuseul, who competed professionally in mixed martial arts and taught the sport to Berto at a school in Winter Haven. For Berto, the sport of boxing became a solace to stay out of trouble. His brother, James Edson Berto, is a professional mixed martial artist. Berto is often called "Mike", his middle name.

Amateur career

As an amateur, Berto won a bronze medal in the 2003 World Amateur Championships. He was also a two-time National Golden Gloves champion, a two-time National PAL champion, a three-time U.S. amateur championship medalist, and won 22 state titles in Florida.

2004 Olympics

Berto was an odds-on favorite to breeze through the 2004 Olympic Trials and qualify as a member of the US Olympic boxing squad. Those dreams were dashed in the opening round of the trials, when he was disqualified for throwing Juan McPherson to the canvas. Berto was winning the fight, before McPherson bumped into him before being pushed to the canvas, and was deemed in no condition to continue. The act was ruled a flagrant foul, and Berto was disqualified. A protest was ruled in his favor, as he was declared the winner and advanced to the next round. Berto won that bout as well and prepared for the finals before a follow-up meeting the night before reverted to the initial ruling, eliminating Berto from the tournament. Because his parents emigrated from Haiti, Berto was able to keep his Olympic hopes alive, qualifying for Team Haiti, and subsequently granted Haitian citizenship alongside his American nationality, an exception the island country awarded the Olympian. Berto lost in the first-round to Xavier Noel of France.

Professional career

Welterweight

From December 2004 to October 2006, Berto won 15 fights, with 13 coming by way of knockout. On December 12, 2006, at the Alltel Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas, Berto stepped up in competition and fought Miguel Figueroa. Berto put together a one-sided destruction of Figueroa, eventually forcing the referee to stop the fight in round six. He was named ESPN.com’s 2006 Prospect of the Year. His next fight took place on February 17, 2007, at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, New York, against Norberto Bravo of The Contender. Berto defeated Bravo by first round technical knockout after Bravo was knocked down three times, triggering the three knockdown rule. On May 19, 2007, Berto defeated Martinus Clay by seventh round technical knockout.

On July 27, 2007, at the City Center in Saratoga Springs, New York. Berto fought Cosme Rivera. Berto was in full control until he was down for the first time in his career in round six. He was able to recover and open up a bad cut over Rivera's right eye in the seventh round. Rivera stood his ground in the remaining rounds to test Berto, but Berto won by unanimous decision. On September 29, 2007, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Berto defeated David Estrada by eleventh round technical knockout to win the NABF welterweight title. Rounds three and eight were described by BoxingScene.com as "round of the year" candidates as both men went toe-to-toe with flush power shots. The end came when Berto dropped Estrada with an uppercut that was followed up by a huge right hand. Estrada made it to his feet, but could not defend himself as Berto attacked with more damaging shots that prompted the referee to jump in and stop the fight.

On February 9, 2008, at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California, Berto fought Michael Trabant in his first defense of the NABF welterweight title. Trabant stayed on the defensive for the entire fight with Berto landing a variety of punches from all angles. In the fifth and sixth rounds, Trabant was barely able to land a single punch, as he was frequently taking punches to the head. Trabant told the referee after round six that he was no longer willing to continue with the fight. It was the first time that Trabant had ever been stopped.

Welterweight title

File:Andre Berto.jpg

Andre Berto in 2011

On June 21, 2008, Berto captured the vacant WBC welterweight title by defeating Miguel Rodriguez in the seventh round by technical knockout at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. Berto knocked Rodriguez down twice in the seventh round, before the referee stopped the bout with 47 seconds left as Berto continually hurt Rodriguez with right hands. Berto's first title defense of the WBC welterweight title occurred on September 28, 2008, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California against Steve Forbes. Berto consistently outpunched Forbes, winning the fight by unanimous decision with scores of 118–109 on two of the scorecards and 116–111 on the third scorecard.

Berto made the second defense of his title on January 17, 2009, at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi against former WBA welterweight champion Luis Collazo. Berto got off to a rough start as he was hurt in the first round and had a point deducted in the fourth round for holding Collazo's arm. In round seven, Berto opened a cut over the left eye of Collazo. Berto won the fight by a controversial unanimous decision with scores of 114–113 on two of the scorecards and 116–111 on the third scorecard.

On Saturday, May 30, 2009, Berto defended his WBC welterweight title against Juan Urango and won a lopsided unanimous decision.

Berto was to defend his title against "Sugar" Shane Mosley for a WBC, WBA welterweight title unification bout on January 30, 2010. However, Berto announced that he was withdrawing from his title unification bout against Mosley on January 18, 2010 due to family loss in the Haiti earthquake. With Mosley subsequently landing a bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr, Berto faced former WBO welterweight champion Carlos Quintana on April 10, 2010 and won by an eighth round knockout, despite injuring his left biceps during the fight.

On November 27, 2010 he got a TKO victory over Freddy Hernandez. Berto successfully defended his WBC welterweight title, stopping Freddy Hernandez at 2:07 of the first round. He hammered Hernandez (29-2) with a left hook, then floored him with a straight right during the co-feature fight of the Juan Manuel Marquez-Michael Katsidis lightweight championship bout.

Berto vs Ortiz

Main article: Andre Berto vs. Victor Ortiz

On April 16, 2011 Berto's reign as champion came to an end at the hands of Victor Ortiz. Ortiz defeated Berto by unanimous decision in a fight that was named the The Ring magazine's "Fight of the Year" for 2011 with 4 ruled knockdowns.

Berto vs. Zavec

On September 3, 2011, Berto returned after his defeat to Victor Ortiz to face IBF Welterweight Champion and Ring Top 10 Welterweight Dejan Zavec. After 5 rounds of a closely competitive fight, Zaveck's corner stopped the fight as he had been cut. The two men embraced and Berto thanked the Slovenian fans for traveling over to America to cheer their countryman on. Berto called his performance "so-so", becoming a two-time world champion and the new IBF Welterweight Champion.

See also: Andre Berto vs. Jan Zaveck

Berto relinquished his IBF Welterweight title rather than face mandatory challenger Randall Bailey in order to facilitate the rematch with Ortiz because he wanted the opportunity to avenge his only defeat (at the time).

===Testing positive for a banned substance, the rematch against Ortiz planned for June 23, 2012 was cancelled. It has since been ruled that Berto's positive test was the result of contamination, and Berto has since regained his boxing license.

Return to the Ring

Berto vs. Guerrero

Berto's next fight was scheduled for November 24, 2012, in Ontario, California. The opponent was Ring Top 10 Welterweight and WBC Interim Welterweight champion: Robert Guerrero. Berto was knocked down twice early in the fight but came back well to give Guerrero a tough scrap, but Guerrero managed to narrowly maintain control and won via unanimous decision. Both of Berto's eyes and Guerrero's right eye were closed shut by the end of the fight.

Berto vs. Soto Karass

Following an 8-month lay-off after losing to Guerrero, Berto eventually returned to the ring to face Jesús Soto Karass on July 27, 2013, at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. In a tough, entertaining back-and-forth fight, Berto lost via TKO in the twelfth round after previously knocking down Soto Karass in the previous round. At the time of the stoppage, one judge had Berto ahead in the fight (105-103), one had him behind in the fight (103-105) and the other judge had the fight even (104-104).

Premier Boxing Champions

On January 22, 2015, it was announced Andre Berto would face Josesito Lopez on March 13, 2015 as part of the new Premier Boxing Champions series on Spike TV. Berto won the fight, stopping Lopez in the sixth round and acquiring the interim WBA welterweight title in the process.

Berto vs. Mayweather

Main article: Floyd Mayweather vs. Andre Berto

On August 4, 2015, it was announced after months of speculation, Andre Berto would face Floyd Mayweather on September 12, in Las Vegas on Showtime PPV. He lost the fight to Mayweather by unanimous decision.

Professional boxing record

30 Wins (23 knockouts, 7 decisions), 4 Losses (1 knockout, 3 decisions), 0 Draws
Res.	Record	Opponent	Type	Rd., Time	Date	Location	Notes
Loss	30-4	Floyd Mayweather, Jr.	UD	12	2015-09-12	MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada	For WBA (Super), WBC & The Ring Welterweight titles.
Win	30–3	Josesito López	TKO	6 (12), 1:02	2015-03-13	Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California	Won Interim WBA Welterweight title.
Win	29–3	Steve Upsher	UD	10	2014-09-06	U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio
Loss	28–3	Jesús Soto Karass	TKO	12 (12)	2013-07-27	AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas	For vacant NABF Welterweight title.
Loss	28–2	Robert Guerrero	UD	12	2012-11-24	Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California	For Interim WBC Welterweight title.
Win	28–1	Jan Zaveck	TKO	5 (12)	2011-09-03	Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi	Won IBF Welterweight title.
Loss	27–1	Victor Ortiz	UD	12	2011-04-16	Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, Connecticut	Lost WBC Welterweight title.
Win	27–0	Freddy Hernández	TKO	1 (12), 2:07	2010-11-27	MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada	Retained WBC Welterweight title.
Win	26–0	Carlos Quintana	TKO	8 (12), 2:16	2010-04-10	BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, Florida	Retained WBC Welterweight title.
Win	25–0	Juan Urango	UD	12	2009-05-30	Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida	Retained WBC Welterweight title.
Win	24–0	Luis Collazo	UD	12	2009-01-17	Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi	Retained WBC Welterweight title.
Win	23–0	Steve Forbes	UD	12	2008-09-27	The Home Depot Center, Carson, California	Retained WBC Welterweight title.
Win	22–0	Miguel Angel Rodriguez	TKO	7 (12), 2:13	2008-06-21	FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee	Won vacant WBC Welterweight title.
Win	21–0	Michel Trabant	RTD	6 (10), 3:00	2008-02-09	Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California	Retained NABF Welterweight title.
Win	20–0	David Estrada	TKO	11 (12), 1:17	2007-09-29	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey	Won vacant NABF Welterweight title.
Win	19–0	Cosme Rivera	UD	10	2007-07-27	Saratoga Springs City Center, Saratoga Springs, New York
Win	18–0	Martinus Clay	TKO	7 (10), 2:15	2007-05-19	FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tennessee
Win	17–0	Norberto Bravo	TKO	1 (10), 2:28	2007-02-17	Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, New York
Win	16–0	Miguel Figueroa	TKO	6 (10), 1:59	2006-12-09	Alltel Arena, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Win	15–0	James Crayton	KO	5 (8), 0:34	2006-10-21	Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas
Win	14–0	Roberto Valenzuela	TKO	1 (8), 2:19	2006-08-05	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Win	13–0	Sammy Sparkman	TKO	2 (10), 2:50	2006-06-17	FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tennessee
Win	12–0	Gerardo Cesar Prieto	TKO	3 (4), 1:52	2006-05-17	Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Connecticut
Win	11–0	Horatio García	RTD	3 (8), 3:00	2006-04-14	Agua Caliente Casino, Rancho Mirage, California
Win	10–0	Jonathan Tubbs	TKO	3 (8), 2:44	2006-02-03	Northern Quest Resort & Casino, Airway Heights, Washington
Win	9–0	Taronze Washington	KO	1 (8), 2:50	2005-12-03	Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win	8–0	Maurice Chalmers	TKO	1 (6), 1:36	2005-11-04	Buffalo Run Casino & Hotel, Miami, Oklahoma
Win	7–0	William Johnson	KO	1 (4), 1:36	2005-10-01	St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida
Win	6–0	Anthony Little	TKO	6 (6), 1:36	2005-06-09	Grand Ballroom, New York, New York
Win	5–0	Tim Himes	TKO	1 (6), 2:10	2005-05-06	Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, Connecticut
Win	4–0	Daniel Neal	UD	4	2005-02-24	Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, New York
Win	3–0	Edgar Galvan	TKO	1 (4), 1:59	2005-01-28	Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, New York
Win	2–0	Joseph Benjamin	UD	4	2005-01-21	Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Connecticut
Win	1–0	Michael Robinson	TKO	3 (4), 2:15	2004-12-04	Barton Coliseum, Little Rock, Arkansas	Professional debut.

Personal

In a March 2010 column he wrote for The New York Times, Berto described some of his efforts for Project Medishare in Haiti after the earthquake, as well as relating that he is frequently mistaken for American football star Reggie Bush.

External links

• Professional boxing record for Andre Berto from BoxRec
• Bio - file interview with Andre Berto at BoxingInsider.com

Vacant Title last held by Floyd Mayweather, Jr.	WBC Welterweight Champion June 21, 2008 – April 16, 2011	Succeeded by Victor Ortiz
Preceded by Jan Zaveck	IBF Welterweight Champion September 3, 2011 – November 8, 2011 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Randall Bailey
Vacant Title last held by Keith Thurman	WBA Welterweight Interim Champion March 13, 2015 – September 12, 2015 Lost bid for super title	Vacant Title next held by David Avanesyan