By Frank Gonzalez Jr. – April 11, 2010 – WBC Welterweight titlist Andre Berto (26-0, 20 KO’s) made his return to the ring after eleven months away, which included a recent disaster to deal with in his home country of Haiti. Berto’s performance at the Bank Atlantic Center (don’t you love that every venue is named after some big corporation these days?) saw him out work and out score a sluggish and uninspired Carlos Quintana (27-3, 21 KO’s). Berto’s efforts resulted in a victory via TKO when, in the eighth round, during a one way exchange of Berto punching and Quintana covering up, Berto landed a clean shot into the face during a rally against the corner ropes and the referee, Tommy Kimmons called a halt to the contest. Kimmons has shown himself a good referee in past fights but Saturday night he gave the impression that maybe Andre Berto’s people were signing his check.
It was kind of sad to watch the fading Quintana fight without any passion or notable desire to win. This win over Quintana did little to convince this scribe that Berto is a real “champion..” How is it that Berto, who is the WBC Welterweight titlist, has yet to face a top fighter in his prime? Berto reminds me of Jeff Lacy, a guy who had the look—but lacked the skills to go with it. Lacy had a great career fighting tomato cans but ran into a brick wall against anyone with legit skills. Like previous Berto opponents, Quintana is a guy with a name because of his history with one or more big time fighters. When will Berto step up and prove his worthiness to wear the WBC belt? Will he be another Lacy, who didn’t ever beat a top fighter in his whole career? After the fight, he was asked if he was looking to fight any of the top guys in the division, namely Shane Mosley, Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao. Berto was mum and mumbled something about wanting to stay busy while completely avoiding answering that question. It’s shameful that any fighter can wear a “major title belt” and then NOT fight the best in their class.
Now that Floyd is back it is interesting how disinterested he is in regaining that WBC strap that Berto nearly inherited after Floyd ‘retired’ two years ago when Margarito, Williams and Cotto were the obvious next match ups for Floyd. Now the landscape has softened up considerably and Floyd is back. Mind your wallet.
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