By Jake Donovan - It's a welterweight crossroads bout with the strangest of implications.
The winner of this weekend’s HBO Boxing After Dark showcase between Andre Berto and Luis Collazo (Saturday, 9:45PM ET/PT, Biloxi, MS) gains more than just another check in the W column.
He gains by far the greatest victory of his career, and knocks on the door of Top 5 status in the deepest and most marketable division in the sport.
He becomes a viable candidate for the winner in yet another January welterweight collision, this one next weekend between Antonio Margarito and Shane Mosley.
Yet it’s a win that both fighters need, as they sorely lack one anywhere nearly as significant.
Despite his modest level of competition on the way up, Berto (23-0, 19KO) for years has carried the “can’t miss” label in terms of future star status. There’s plenty to like about the undefeated boxer-puncher from Winter Haven, FL. He’s remained perfect through four years as a pro. He’s body-beautiful and always in tip-top shape. He boasts an Olympic pedigree and is currently in possession of alphabet hardware which, like or not, still means something in this day and age.
So what’s not to like?
Those who believe his star-status is just more HBO hyperbole being forced upon us point to his slow road to the top. Through four years as a pro, the potential exists, but he’s yet to face to the level of opposition to suggest that something special is on the horizon.
It’s for that reason that many take issue with the fact that this weekend’s bout is being treated as a foregone conclusion. That Collazo is considered far and away the best Berto has faced to date isn’t necessarily a compliment, yet odds makers believe the stocky Floridian to be as much as a 6 ½-1 favorite to remain unbeaten by fights end. [details]
The winner of this weekend’s HBO Boxing After Dark showcase between Andre Berto and Luis Collazo (Saturday, 9:45PM ET/PT, Biloxi, MS) gains more than just another check in the W column.
He gains by far the greatest victory of his career, and knocks on the door of Top 5 status in the deepest and most marketable division in the sport.
He becomes a viable candidate for the winner in yet another January welterweight collision, this one next weekend between Antonio Margarito and Shane Mosley.
Yet it’s a win that both fighters need, as they sorely lack one anywhere nearly as significant.
Despite his modest level of competition on the way up, Berto (23-0, 19KO) for years has carried the “can’t miss” label in terms of future star status. There’s plenty to like about the undefeated boxer-puncher from Winter Haven, FL. He’s remained perfect through four years as a pro. He’s body-beautiful and always in tip-top shape. He boasts an Olympic pedigree and is currently in possession of alphabet hardware which, like or not, still means something in this day and age.
So what’s not to like?
Those who believe his star-status is just more HBO hyperbole being forced upon us point to his slow road to the top. Through four years as a pro, the potential exists, but he’s yet to face to the level of opposition to suggest that something special is on the horizon.
It’s for that reason that many take issue with the fact that this weekend’s bout is being treated as a foregone conclusion. That Collazo is considered far and away the best Berto has faced to date isn’t necessarily a compliment, yet odds makers believe the stocky Floridian to be as much as a 6 ½-1 favorite to remain unbeaten by fights end. [details]
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