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Winter Haven's Berto Races Down Road To Success

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By EDDIE DANIELS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 27, 2008

TAMPA - The rhythmic pounding of Andre Berto's feet atop the streets of Winter Haven allowed the boxer to go back to Square 1.

During those runs, as Berto (22-0, 19 KOs) prepared for tonight's bout against Steve Forbes (33-6, 9 KOs) inside the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., Berto's mind wasn't affixed to the WBC welterweight belt he now holds. Nor was it about his rising stock and heighten level of popularity in the sport.

"Just coming back made me really reflect on a lot of things. Actually it made me train a little harder, running the little streets I was running on as an amateur," said Berto, who more recently leaves his hometown before a fight to train in Miami. "It made me reflect on a lot of things that helped me get to this point."

That point is name recognition in the welterweight division. It's also the notion some don't want to face Berto, according promoter Lou DiBella.

More importantly, it's his first defense of that WBC strap he collected with a seventh round TKO of Miki Rodriguez in June for the belt vacated by Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s retirement.

Berto's fight is the co-feature on the "Sugar" Shane Mosley-Ricardo Mayorga card, which will air live on HBO.

Forbes, a crafty veteran, not known for his power, has never found himself on the canvass and last took on Oscar De La Hoya, which he lost via a 12-round unanimous decision.

None of that phases Berto.

"I know I'm faster, stronger," said Berto, who admits if you come in unprepared, Forbes can make opponents look bad. "He might believe he's a little quicker, but I've been working on my defense, catching punches and me being slick as well. We're just going to see how it plays out."

DiBella, who also has a high regard for Forbes' talent, has a notion how things will "play out" - on the side of Berto.

DiBella also has a notion of what Berto's future could be.

"I think he has the ability and the personal composition to be a superstar," he said of Berto. "He can be the kind of guy on top for five, eight, 10 years and can make tens of millions of dollars.

"I'm treating him that way. He's not being rushed. I'm treating him carefully, every fight has a purpose. Stevie Forbes was a handpicked opponent. Not in the sense he's an easy fight, but Stevie Forbes is as smart and crafty a professional prize fighter you can fight."

As Berto talked about those weeks of training, running the same paths he took as an amateur as HBO's cameras followed along, you get a sense the million dollar paydays and a big name is secondary. Those are things that come in the wake of hard work.

"Steve Forbes is a vet in the game, he's a spoiler," Berto said. "He's the type of guy who can make you look pretty bad if you're not ready for him.

"I've put in extremely hard work for this fight and trained like I was the underdog."

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 948-4214 or edaniels@tampatrib.com.

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