Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Berto's Promoter Grilled on Lack of Testing For Mosley
BoxingScene.com sat down with promoter Lou DiBella and grilled him on the issue of random drug testing and whether or not a blood test for performance enhancing drugs is something that boxing needs as a mandatory pre and post fight requirement. DiBella's young charge, WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto, is going up against Shane Mosley in a unification fight on January 30 in Las Vegas.
Mosley admitted to inadvertently using performance enhancing drugs for his 2003 rematch with Oscar De La Hoya. Mosley never failed a drug test. Back in 2003, the Nevada State Athletic Commission did not have the necessary tests in place to catch fighters who were using illegal substances that were being manufactured for the sole purpose of "beating drug tests." At the present, the NSAC believe their mandatory pre and post-fight urinalysis will detect any performance enhancing agent - including those used by Mosley in 2003.
The biggest controversy in boxing is the issue of random blood tests for the super-fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather and his team are demanding random blood tests for both fighters, including the ability to have both boxers tested for performance enhancing drugs within 30-days of the fight [tentative for March 13]. Pacquiao is open to taking blood test, but not within 30-days of the fight.
Mayweather is advised by the mysterious Al Haymon, who is also the manager for Andre Berto. Haymon is a driving force behind Team Mayweather's demand for random blood tests. Pacquiao has never failed a drug test or admitted to using any performance enhancing drugs. Mosley has admitted to using inadvertently using illegal substances.
There is an obvious question. Why would Haymon push for Pacquiao to get tested....but not Mosley?
DiBella is realistic. He knows Berto doesn't have the industry status or the leverage of a Pacquiao or a Mayweather to make those kind of demands. Does he think there should have been additional tests involved with Mosley-Berto? Yes he does. But DiBella is not only thinking about Mosley-Berto. He would like to see stricter drug testing procedures in every major fight - because there are athletes out there, even in boxing, who are always looking for ways to beat the system.
"Of course he should be tested but we signed contract without those requirements. I'm not going to call for any changes now. I don't think it's appropriate to ask for changes subsequent to making the deal. The reason we didn't request the [blood] test is because we were on a timeframe and I had to accept that I wasn't going to change the Nevada State Athletic Commission rules," DiBella told BoxingScene.com.
"I didn't have the leverage with the younger fighter [as opposed to the leverage of a Mayweather or Pacquiao] to force Shane Mosley into that situation. Shane has admitted to violations in that area in the past and would be subject to the penalty of law if he did it again. I hope and I trust that he's smart enough that he stopped the inappropriate performance enhancement."
DiBella states his case by discussing the history of the sport in the last few years. Boxing needs a stricter drug test protocol, DiBella says, and the last few years are proof.
"It's been proven by Shane and a number of fighters who have been caught using performance enhancing drugs, or admitted to them. We had Shane, Fernando Vargas, James Toney, Francois Botha. This is not a sport like baseball where you hit a ball. You are hitting another human being. We've even had a fighter load his gloves. As a sport we should address these cheating problems and ask the regulators to do the same," DiBella said.
By: Rick Reeno
Source: boxingscene.com
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Andre Berto: "There isn't anything about Mosley's style that worries me"
This past week’s edition of On the Ropes featured two exclusive interviews. Highlighting this episode was the very nice chat with WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto. Here are some excerpts from that interview:
On preparations for his upcoming fight with Sugar Shane Mosley:
“The preparations have been going great, everything is right on time. We’ve been putting in extremely hard work and anybody who has ever been in our camp they know we are very extreme. We’re putting in all the work that we need to put in, and I’m excited, I’m confident, and everything is falling into place.”
On Sugar Shane Mosley and the possibility of him suffering from ring rust:
“Maybe, but Shane’s the type of guy he always stays in shape. He’s been out of the ring for nearly a year, but he’s done all of this stuff before, so I believe he’ll get in a rhythm pretty quickly, but we’ll see.”
Regarding what about Mosley’s style most concerns him:
“I’ve been watching Mosley for awhile, actually all through the amateurs. He’s a quick guy, he has fast reaction time, and point blank he can just fight. There isn’t anything about his style that worries me to a point..”
Regarding his controversial win over Luis Collazo”
“It definitely made me a better fighter, and I think I was able to just learn from the fight.”
On his and Shane Mosley’s other common opponent, David Estrada:
“I fought another guy like David Estrada, the same guy that Shane Mosley fought, and it was a tough fight for Shane but I got David Estrada out of there. I guess styles make fights.”
On his fight with Estrada:
“I believe that was my first really big test in a fight. It tested my conditioning, it tested me mentally, and everywhere around the board.”
On the possibility of becoming Manny Pacquiao’s primary sparring partner for his fight with Floyd Mayweather Junior:
“I just heard about that, actually. Somebody from my team actually get a call from Freddie Roach’s people. We didn’t get a chance to speak with them yet. It’s flattering, but at the same time, my whole team is fully focused on our fight with Shane Mosley and a win against Mosley can put me right there in contention to fight one of those guys, so we don’t know what we’re going to do when it comes to that whole situation. Me and Manny are really good friends, but all of my focus is on the fight January 30 right now.”
On his long term goals in boxing:
“I just want to basically stay undefeated, because right now I’m in a star-studded division. I’m blessed to be in this position. I want to continue to work hard, and stay undefeated and continue to improve myself.”
On the upcoming mega bout between Mayweather and Pacquiao:
“It’s kind of up in the air for me now, because Manny Pacquiao is so awkward and so relentless and I think that’s something that Floyd has never faced before and in the past, it looks like Floyd has probably had a little trouble when it comes to southpaws. So I believe Manny will definitely give him a hard time, but then again, Floyd is such a technician who is so smart in there and when I watch Manny Pacquiao fighting Cotto I see within the first round that Cotto was able to control him with the jab, and I just see that little bit, and I can see Mayweather throwing a jab like that all night.”
On why he does not use a boxing nickname:
“I have always had that mentality, even as a kid, that everything that I wanted I wanted to earn it, so I take that approach. I went into the professional game like, okay, I don’t want a nickname now, but with my performances and everything I do in the ring, I want the commentators, the people, and the boxing world to give me a nickname one day so I can say I really earned it.”
Regarding who he believes will win the Super Six super middleweight tournament.
“Actually, I’m going for the two Andres, so either Andre Ward or Andre Dirrell I see winning it, so those two guys right there are my pick for the tournament.”
His personal prediction for his upcoming fight with Sugar Shane Mosley:
“Victory.”
Source: eastsideboxing.com
On preparations for his upcoming fight with Sugar Shane Mosley:
“The preparations have been going great, everything is right on time. We’ve been putting in extremely hard work and anybody who has ever been in our camp they know we are very extreme. We’re putting in all the work that we need to put in, and I’m excited, I’m confident, and everything is falling into place.”
On Sugar Shane Mosley and the possibility of him suffering from ring rust:
“Maybe, but Shane’s the type of guy he always stays in shape. He’s been out of the ring for nearly a year, but he’s done all of this stuff before, so I believe he’ll get in a rhythm pretty quickly, but we’ll see.”
Regarding what about Mosley’s style most concerns him:
“I’ve been watching Mosley for awhile, actually all through the amateurs. He’s a quick guy, he has fast reaction time, and point blank he can just fight. There isn’t anything about his style that worries me to a point..”
Regarding his controversial win over Luis Collazo”
“It definitely made me a better fighter, and I think I was able to just learn from the fight.”
On his and Shane Mosley’s other common opponent, David Estrada:
“I fought another guy like David Estrada, the same guy that Shane Mosley fought, and it was a tough fight for Shane but I got David Estrada out of there. I guess styles make fights.”
On his fight with Estrada:
“I believe that was my first really big test in a fight. It tested my conditioning, it tested me mentally, and everywhere around the board.”
On the possibility of becoming Manny Pacquiao’s primary sparring partner for his fight with Floyd Mayweather Junior:
“I just heard about that, actually. Somebody from my team actually get a call from Freddie Roach’s people. We didn’t get a chance to speak with them yet. It’s flattering, but at the same time, my whole team is fully focused on our fight with Shane Mosley and a win against Mosley can put me right there in contention to fight one of those guys, so we don’t know what we’re going to do when it comes to that whole situation. Me and Manny are really good friends, but all of my focus is on the fight January 30 right now.”
On his long term goals in boxing:
“I just want to basically stay undefeated, because right now I’m in a star-studded division. I’m blessed to be in this position. I want to continue to work hard, and stay undefeated and continue to improve myself.”
On the upcoming mega bout between Mayweather and Pacquiao:
“It’s kind of up in the air for me now, because Manny Pacquiao is so awkward and so relentless and I think that’s something that Floyd has never faced before and in the past, it looks like Floyd has probably had a little trouble when it comes to southpaws. So I believe Manny will definitely give him a hard time, but then again, Floyd is such a technician who is so smart in there and when I watch Manny Pacquiao fighting Cotto I see within the first round that Cotto was able to control him with the jab, and I just see that little bit, and I can see Mayweather throwing a jab like that all night.”
On why he does not use a boxing nickname:
“I have always had that mentality, even as a kid, that everything that I wanted I wanted to earn it, so I take that approach. I went into the professional game like, okay, I don’t want a nickname now, but with my performances and everything I do in the ring, I want the commentators, the people, and the boxing world to give me a nickname one day so I can say I really earned it.”
Regarding who he believes will win the Super Six super middleweight tournament.
“Actually, I’m going for the two Andres, so either Andre Ward or Andre Dirrell I see winning it, so those two guys right there are my pick for the tournament.”
His personal prediction for his upcoming fight with Sugar Shane Mosley:
“Victory.”
Source: eastsideboxing.com
Friday, December 18, 2009
Boxing Champ Andre Berto Embraces the Christmas Holiday Spirit in Central Florida
(WINTER HAVEN, FLA.) – WBC Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto (Winter Haven, Fla.) is enjoying the opportunity to share his own blessings with others during the holiday season. Berto took a morning off from training camp on Friday, heading east to Orlando to assist with a large, city-wide toy drive.
Berto went on a toy shopping spree on Thursday night to help ensure that several families in Central Florida will enjoy a Merry Christmas, despite the financial hardships Americans are facing across the country. He and his family helped out with the XL 106.7 FM Baby DJ Toy Drive, which is providing toys for needy families in Central Florida for the 18th straight year.
Berto and his younger sister, Revelina, older brother, Cleveland, and 2004 Olympian Ron Siler, hand delivered the toys to the Baby DJ Toy Warehouse on Friday morning. The trio got a glimpse at the incredible amount of toys that had been donated by people throughout the community.
“It’s amazing to see all of these toys that people have donated,” Berto said. “A lot of kids are going to have a Merry Christmas because of this, and I’m just happy that I could come and be a part of something like this.”
In addition to the toy drive, Berto’s Carma Foundation held their first Jingle Bell Ball on Sunday and raised over $50,000, which will benefit both the organization’s scholarship fund and philanthropic efforts in Haiti.
The 26-year-old Olympian is currently in training camp in his hometown of Winter Haven, Fla., in preparation for his January 30th match-up with Shane Mosley. Berto is finishing the fourth week of camp for the fight, which will take place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev.
Berto went on a toy shopping spree on Thursday night to help ensure that several families in Central Florida will enjoy a Merry Christmas, despite the financial hardships Americans are facing across the country. He and his family helped out with the XL 106.7 FM Baby DJ Toy Drive, which is providing toys for needy families in Central Florida for the 18th straight year.
Berto and his younger sister, Revelina, older brother, Cleveland, and 2004 Olympian Ron Siler, hand delivered the toys to the Baby DJ Toy Warehouse on Friday morning. The trio got a glimpse at the incredible amount of toys that had been donated by people throughout the community.
“It’s amazing to see all of these toys that people have donated,” Berto said. “A lot of kids are going to have a Merry Christmas because of this, and I’m just happy that I could come and be a part of something like this.”
In addition to the toy drive, Berto’s Carma Foundation held their first Jingle Bell Ball on Sunday and raised over $50,000, which will benefit both the organization’s scholarship fund and philanthropic efforts in Haiti.
The 26-year-old Olympian is currently in training camp in his hometown of Winter Haven, Fla., in preparation for his January 30th match-up with Shane Mosley. Berto is finishing the fourth week of camp for the fight, which will take place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Mosley should be bigger star than Mayweather
Floyd Mayweather fierce critics and most general boxing fans say that he avoids the best in the world, the best in the divisions he fights in, is boring to watch, cherry picks his opponent and lately fights smaller men.
I looked closely into Shane Mosley career and it seems that he is doing exactly what Mayweather critics says Money should be doing. I am surprised that critics are not talking about Mosley more and he is not all over the media the way Floyd is. Firstly, he cleaned up the lightweight division and skipped super-welterweight division to meet the bigger, undefeated and pound-for pounder in Oscar De La Hoya in 2000 for welterweight championship. The smaller Mosley came stronger in the second half and won a decision in a career- defining bout.
He tried to unify the division by meeting another undefeated champion in Vernon Forrest and lost 2 fights against the man. Shane went on to face De La Hoya again in Super welterweight fight and again won the decision albeit controversial this time around. As usual, he went after the best and tried to unify the super-welterweight division against Winky Wright and lost the decision as well the rematch.
Mosley went on to fight 2 men that Floyd’s critics always say he ducked; Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito. He lost against the then undefeated Cotto and was an underdog when he caused all sorts of upset when he stopped Margarito in 9 rounds. He produced the best performance of his career with his trademark ‘powerboxing’ and won in a scintillating fashion. True to the fashion, Mosley is scheduled to unify the welterweight division this February against WBC and WBA champion Andre Berto.
Shane goes for the biggest fights available, losses some wins some and is exciting to watch. He also beat De La Hoya in his prime and repeated the feat, becoming the only man to ever accomplish that. Floyd is criticized for preserving his undefeated record but Mosley is not adequately rewarded for taking more risks. If fierce critics and some general boxing fans are to be believed, Mosley should be the bigger star and we should be holding onto his talons more.
By: Klaas Mabetlela
Source: boxingnews24.com
I looked closely into Shane Mosley career and it seems that he is doing exactly what Mayweather critics says Money should be doing. I am surprised that critics are not talking about Mosley more and he is not all over the media the way Floyd is. Firstly, he cleaned up the lightweight division and skipped super-welterweight division to meet the bigger, undefeated and pound-for pounder in Oscar De La Hoya in 2000 for welterweight championship. The smaller Mosley came stronger in the second half and won a decision in a career- defining bout.
He tried to unify the division by meeting another undefeated champion in Vernon Forrest and lost 2 fights against the man. Shane went on to face De La Hoya again in Super welterweight fight and again won the decision albeit controversial this time around. As usual, he went after the best and tried to unify the super-welterweight division against Winky Wright and lost the decision as well the rematch.
Mosley went on to fight 2 men that Floyd’s critics always say he ducked; Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito. He lost against the then undefeated Cotto and was an underdog when he caused all sorts of upset when he stopped Margarito in 9 rounds. He produced the best performance of his career with his trademark ‘powerboxing’ and won in a scintillating fashion. True to the fashion, Mosley is scheduled to unify the welterweight division this February against WBC and WBA champion Andre Berto.
Shane goes for the biggest fights available, losses some wins some and is exciting to watch. He also beat De La Hoya in his prime and repeated the feat, becoming the only man to ever accomplish that. Floyd is criticized for preserving his undefeated record but Mosley is not adequately rewarded for taking more risks. If fierce critics and some general boxing fans are to be believed, Mosley should be the bigger star and we should be holding onto his talons more.
By: Klaas Mabetlela
Source: boxingnews24.com
Monday, December 14, 2009
Andre Berto Crams For Career-Defining Welterweight Test
Kindergarten was a breeze. Middle school was a cakewalk.
And high school, even with an occasionally difficult pop quiz, yielded honor-roll grades.
But late January in Las Vegas represents a little something different for Andre Berto.
It’s college graduation day.
“I’ve had a lot of fight against guys where I was able to work on things. To see what was successful and what wasn’t,” said the 26-year-old Floridian. “But now it’s step-up time. It’s like I’m in with the teacher and I’m the student. And I get the chance to show everyone what I’ve learned.
“I’m in with a guy who I’ve looked up to since I first started watching boxing and who was a world champion I emulated when I was an amateur. To think I’ll be in there fighting him is unreal. I can honestly say I never thought I’d be in this position.”
Grading Berto’s final exam will be 38-year-old Shane Mosley – the already three-division champ who reemerged with a ninth-round TKO of Antonio Margarito last January to earn both a dubious WBA “super” title belt and a groundswell of support as the best fighter at 147 pounds.
The youngster holds the WBC’s gaudy green jewelry at welterweight, but is generally considered no better than fifth in the class behind Mosley and new WBO champion Manny Pacquiao, along with recent PacMan victim Miguel Cotto and prospective New Year opponent Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Combined, the foursome has won world titles in 16 divisions.
But Berto still considers his four title fights ample preparation for an advanced course.
“I’ve always had the mindset and the intention to be considered the best and I believe I am the best,” he said. “But I’m a younger guy and the other guys have been around longer and people know them better, so I understand the rankings and all that.
“I’m a humble guy, so I’m not going to be the one doing all the talking about who’s this and who’s that. I’m in a position now where fights can be made and if I do the things I need to do, that sort of thing will sort itself out. I’m here for a reason and I’m a fresh face. That’s how I look at it.”
A Haitian Olympian in 2004, Berto won 21 straight as an underclassman before gaining championship status with a seventh-round TKO of Miguel Rodriguez at the FedEx Forum in Memphis in June 2008.
Three defenses of varying difficulty have followed, ending in unanimous decisions over Steve Forbes, Luis Collazo and Juan Urango in which Berto won 77 of a possible 108 rounds.
Clearly Mosley, who won the IBF lightweight title a month before his foe turned 14, is a different animal.
“I plan to go in there and use the same methods that have gotten me to where I am,” Berto said. “I’m a newer guy and maybe I can bring something that he hasn’t been up against before. I’ve always been thought of as one of the stronger guys, so the way I look at it it’s going to be two sharp and fast guys in there going toe to toe, using their speed and power.”
Provided things go as planned against Mosley, Berto – who’s promoted by Lou DiBella – reeled off the predictable laundry list of register-ringing foils now residing at welterweight.
He declined, however, to confirm an interest in sparring with Pacquiao as the Filipino prepares to meet Mayweather on March 13. Recent reports indicated Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach coveted Berto for that role following the Mosley fight.
“I really can’t say,” Berto said. “I’ll probably be in contact with (Roach) to see if he was really serious about it, because right now I don’t even know that. But my mind is so focused on my own business right now that I can’t really comment on things like that. It’s not a priority.”
He was similarly reticent to issue a prediction for the welterweight mega-match.
“Floyd’s a great friend of mine and he’s a tactical genius in the ring,” Berto said. “His record speaks for itself. And obviously Pacquiao has been on a great roll, too. It’s a great fight and I’m just like everybody else. I can’t wait to see it and see how it unfolds.”
By: Lyle Fitzsimmons
Source: boxingscene.com
WBC Champ Andre 'The Beast" Berto Loves Karaoke, Pranks and the Ladies
WBC titlist Andre Berto takes a record of 25-0, with 19 KOs into his Jan. 30, welterweight (147 pounds) unification bout with WBA champ, Shane Mosley, looking to demonstrate why "The Beast" is among several nicknames he's earned for his skills.
In this video, his brother, Cleveland, and his girlfriend reveal Berto's playful side, including his love for karaoke, the ladies, his diamond-studded watch, and his penchant for pulling pranks.
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
In this video, his brother, Cleveland, and his girlfriend reveal Berto's playful side, including his love for karaoke, the ladies, his diamond-studded watch, and his penchant for pulling pranks.
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
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