(Winter Haven, Fla.) – Welterweight prospect Andre Berto (Winter Haven, Fla.) will return to the ring on May 19 at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn., for a welterweight clash with veteran Martinus Clay (Wilson, N.C.). The welterweight contest will be Berto’s second of 2007 following a first round destruction of The Contender’s Norberto Bravo on HBO’s Boxing After Dark, February 17, in New York, N.Y.
The 23-year-old is looking forward to returning to the ring after a three-month layoff and feels prepared for the challenge that Clay will present. “My training camp was great, I’ve put in the work in the gym and now I’m ready to put on an exciting performance at the FedEx Forum on May 19,” he said.
Although the full fight won’t be televised, HBO is scheduled to show clips during their World Championship Boxing telecast. Berto hopes that the May 19 battle will be another large step forward in his burgeoning career. “I’ve been out of action for a little bit, but May 19 is going to be one night that moves me closer to a title shot,” Berto said.
Berto’s battle with Clay will highlight the undercard of the middleweight title fight between World Champion Jermain Taylor and Cory Spinks.
The former amateur star recently took time out from training to support current amateur boxers and Olympic hopefuls at the 2007 Eastern Trials in Cocoa, Fla. He returned to his roots for the event, telling the competitors that he was there as a fan, and wishing them the best of luck in the event and with their Olympic aspirations.
The 2004 Haitian Olympian boasts a perfect 17-0 record with an impressive 15 wins coming by knockout. The 2006 USA Today and ESPN Prospect of the Year continues to rise to the top of the sport with a rare combination of boxing prowess, an exciting power-punching style and charismatic personality.