By James Slater – It looks more and more likely that WBC welterweight king Andre Berto will return to action on the November 27th card at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas that is being topped by Juan Manuel Marquez-Michael Katsidis. Berto himself said via his Twitter page he will be facing Mexico’s Freddy Hernandez on the HBO bill, and the tough Mexican was one of the possibilities for Berto as listed by Dan Rafael on his own Twitter page..
Last seen stopping the capable Carlos Quintana in the 8th-round back in April, when a bicep injury suffered in mid-fight served to hamper his performance, 27-year-old Berto is anxious to get back in action. Wanting the big names – Berto was supposed to fight Shane Mosley earlier this year, only for the fight to fall through twice; once due to the quake in Haiti, the other time due to money issues – the unbeaten talent will have to wait. Some people say Berto overprices himself, and that is why he fails to land the big fights he craves, others say the big names want no part of the 26-0(20) warrior.
Berto is hopeful he will get the marquee fights next year, but in the meantime he cannot afford to look past 31-year-old Hernandez (if this is who he does actually fight, and it looks like it). Sporting a good 29-1(20) pro record, the tall (5’10” – hence his nickname of “The Rail”) welterweight has never been stopped and he has some wins over recognisable names. Last time out, in September of this year, Hernandez stopped Mike Anchondo in the 4th, and before that, in February, he took out DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley in the 5th-round.
Hernandez’ sole los came via a 12-round split decision to Golden Johnson way back in early 2005. Taller than Berto and with good power and a good chin, Hernandez is also hungry and determined. Who knows, the support bout to the November 27th card that will also feature super-featherweights Celestino Caballero and Jason Litzau going at it, might be a very good fight.
Will Berto, who has boxed just one fight since May of 2009, be ring-rusty in November? Will Hernandez’ height and reach serve to give the Floridian problems? Will Berto be looking past Hernandez, towards potential big-money fights with the likes of Pacquiao and Mosley?
Berto, when he’s focused and injury-free, is one of the very best fighters out there. A hard worker with fantastic skills and fearsome power, the former Olympian has thus far also shown a good chin. Berto, who was originally going to face his mandatory Selcuk Aydin (who will, it’s been reported take step aside money) should suffer no slip ups against Hernandez, as long as he does take him seriously.
I think Berto will to have to go the full 12-rounds to get the win, though. Then, maybe, in 2011 the WBC welterweight champion will land the mega-fights he says he deserves.