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Berto Isn't Buying Into His Own Hype

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By EDDIE DANIELS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 21, 2008

TAMPA - At some point, the glitz and glamour, the names in the headlines and the high rankings by boxing councils get to you. Right?

Well, Andre Berto isn't biting.

The Winter Haven welterweight has shot up to the No. 1 contender ranking for the World Boxing Council and is constantly mentioned as one of the hottest, rising fighters in the game. Each time his level of competition rises, so does he - clubbing veterans like Michel Trabant, David Estrada and Cosme Rivera.

"I just feel like I haven't really done anything yet," said Berto, 24. "I don't feel like I'm a household name yet. I'm not a world champion, I'm getting there. When I was younger, I was a real observant kid and I saw a lot of the up-and-coming stars get knocked off.

"They start believing their own hype, stop training and start looking away from what got them into the game. I'm extremely focused."

Tonight on HBO's Boxing After Dark, Berto (21-0, 18 KOs) will headline the show with his bout against Mexico's Miguel Rodriguez (29-2, 23 KOs) for the WBC welterweight title, which was left vacant after Floyd Mayweather Jr. retired June 6.

To keep that level of focus, Berto, the NABF welterweight champion, and his trainer, Tony Morgan, took their camp to South Miami's Phantom Boxing for the second time.

They went there for the first time prior to September's fight against Estrada. Morgan calls it the hottest gym in the world, but he still brought Berto into the gym twice daily and when he wasn't in the gym, they were running beneath the oppressive Miami sun.

"Each stride he takes gracefully," Morgan said. "He's not a big-headed kid, he's not a mouthy kid. He's not a kid that's going to talk like he's above somebody. What I like about him is he never stops the work.

"Each camp he'll give me exactly what I need. That's why I know this kid will be the next big thing."

In Rodriguez, Berto will face a fighter with power in both hands, is determined and considered a warrior. Not to mention the WBC title dangling in the background. Not much has to be said for motivation.

"It's a big opportunity for me and it's just something on the platter for me to go and get," Berto said. "I knew the opportunity would eventually come as long as I keep winning. It popped up out of the blue and is definitely a blessing for me. I'm just ready to go out there and do me and hopefully come back home with a title."

That happens and the floodgates will open. There won't be many fights against little-known fighters and Berto's name enters more households.

Added Morgan: "Our growing stages are done as Lou DiBella says. Now it's time to fight name brands."

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at

(813) 948-4214 or edaniels@tampatrib.com.

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